Originally posted by #$%^&*:
Hi,
Thank you for answering my previous question. I appreciate that a lot.
I have another question in my mind if you guys can kindly help me with,
See, let's say I do something in this lifetime, then I get reincarnated/ reborn in the next lifetime. My question is, why would what I do now, influence how I will get reborn? Why can't it be random? Why is there a relationship between what I do now and my next rebirth?
Also, how is it determined that the relationship is linear or whatever it is. Why is it not random? For instance, why can't I do something good in this lifetime but be reborn as an idiot in next lifetime? Why cant a criminal kill many people but be reborn as a scholar? How is it determined that good will yield good, evil will yield evil?
Secondly, since there is no shared identity, why is there no confusion and mix up?
If there is no shared identity, can it really be said that 'I' get reborn? Because in my next life it's not me already, it's a totally new and different entity, with no memory of past, it's a different entity. Like ice becomes water. So is there really a rebirth?
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Many thanks again for the time,
Regards,
#$%^&*
See, let's say I do something in this lifetime, then I get reincarnated/ reborn in the next lifetime. My question is, why would what I do now, influence how I will get reborn? Why can't it be random? Why is there a relationship between what I do now and my next rebirth?
rebirth is caused by the continuation of the mental processes of the dead person in a new body. The new person however is not identical to the one that left the previous body (a lot of causes and conditions come into play to shape this new being), nor a completely different person (because of causality relation).
"According to Buddhism,
all component or conditioned things are impermanent and in a constant state of flux. Therefore in opposition,the existence of an unchanging and independent self, in this world,is denied since it goes against the Buddhist principle of selflessness (anatta). Thus Buddhists teach that a reborn being is
neither entirely different nor exactly the same exampleLight a candle with a match, or visualise doing it. Hold the wick directly above the lighted match, but not actually touching the flame. Watch carefully. The wick will begin to smoke, and will then burst into flame.
Does the flame jump from the match to the candle? Is the candle flame the same as the flame on the match, or is it a different one? If we describe the process scientifically we will say that the heat from the flame on the match vaporised some paraffin wax from the candle, and the paraffin vapour ignited, producing a new flame. The two flames are separate and burn from different fuels, but are causally related.Secondly, since there is no shared identity, why is there no confusion and mix up?
If there is no shared identity, can it really be said that 'I' get reborn? Because in my next life it's not me already, it's a totally new and different entity, with no memory of past, it's a different entity. Like ice becomes water. So is there really a rebirth?
Neither the same nor another
illustrationIn the case of a pot of
milk that turns first to curds, then to butter, then to ghee; it would
not be right to say that the ghee, butter and curds were the same as the milk, but
they have come from that so neither would it be right to say that they are something elseJust as an electric light is the outward visible manifestations of invisible electric energy, even so we are the outward manifestations of invisible Kammic energy. The bulb may break, and the light may be extinguished, but the current remains and the light may be reproduced in another bulb. In the same way, the Kammic force remains undisturbed by the disintegration of the physical body, and the passing away of the present consciousness leads to the arising of a fresh one in another birth. But nothing unchangeable or permanent "passes" from the present to the future.
illustration.A: “It is like a fire that a man might kindle and, having warmed himself, he might leave it burning and go away. Then if that fire were to set light to another man’s field and the owner were to seize him and accuse him before the king, and he were to say,
‘Your majesty, I did not set this man’s field on fire. The fire that I left burning was different to that which burnt his field. I am not guilty.’ Would he deserve punishment?”B:
“Indeed, yes, because whatever he might say the latter fire resulted from the former one.”By this mind and matter deeds are done and because of those deeds another mind and matter is reborn; but that mind and matter is not thereby released from the results of its previous deeds.”Also, how is it determined that the relationship is linear or whatever it is. Why is it not random? For instance, why can't I do something good in this lifetime but be reborn as an idiot in next lifetime? Why cant a criminal kill many people but be reborn as a scholar? How is it determined that good will yield good, evil will yield evil?Karma.There is no good or evil rather
unskillful or unwholesome action exampleIf you fall down from a tree and break your leg, it is not a matter of justice or punishment, but simply the operation of the law of gravity, a natural law which we all are subject to. Likewise, if
you eat good food and remain healthy, your health is only natural, not a reward given to you by some supreme being. Whether a supreme being exists or not, you will remain healthy and strong if you treat yourself properly in accordance with the law of nature. Of course, we may refer to the broken leg as a punishment and good health as a reward, but that is just a way of talking.
The law of kamma operates in much the same manner, the difference being that it functions within the framework of morality, based on the principle of cause and effect.