Buddhist quotes about rebirth, reincarnation and karma

Only the quality, that is the social surrounding, the physical appearance and the mental abilities of a person are fixed by the deeds of his previous existences, but in noway his actions.

Karma in Buddhism, Hans Wolfgang Schuman

If you see that other people are suffering, and you’re in a position to help, you focus not on their karmic past but your karmic opportunity in the present: Some day you may find yourself in the same predicament that they’re in now, so here’s your opportunity to act in the way you’d like them to act toward you when that day comes.

It’s not about fatalism, Bhikkhu Thanissaro

In Buddhism, rebirth is part of the continuous process of change. In fact, we are not only reborn at the time of death, we are born and reborn at every moment.

Fundamentals in Buddhism

More on karma:

2 thoughts on “Buddhist quotes about rebirth, reincarnation and karma”

  1. SCIENTIFIC AWARENESS OF REINCARNATION FOR RELIGIOUS HARMONY

    According to Dr. Granville Dharmawardena of Colombo University reincarnation may be defined as the re-embodiment of an immaterial part of a person after a short or a long interval after death, in a new body whence it proceeds to lead a new life in the new body more or less unconscious of its past existences, but containing within itself the “essence” of the results of its past lives, In the seventeenth century Rene Descartes divided everything in the universe into two realms as “Res Extensa” (matter) and “Res Cogitans” (mind). It is significant to note that Einstein’s discovery fall entirely within the frame work of Res Cogitans as it did not involve any experiments or measurements. Lisa Miller, Religion Editor of Newsweek says that Americans are becoming more Hindus. According to 2008 Harris Poll 24% of Americans says they believe in reincarnation. According to Buddhism this is not the supreme atman or soul that ties one life to another, instead it talks about past lives as evolvement of consciousness, emergence of a new personality from the same stream of consciousness. The Bible contain no condemnation of the principle of reincarnation, and in fact, when Christ was asked when Elijah would return, he answered that Elijah had returned, referring to John the Baptist. Sakina Yusuf Khan writes Shab-e-Barat is also a festival associated with the dead. It is believed that the souls of the dead are set free on this night to visit their relatives. This is a belief in reincarnation, of course in subtle body. Sadia Dehlvi also writes that both Islam and Christianity believe that Christ will return to destroy the Antichrist. This is affirmation to reincarnation although in some restricted sense. It is clear from the above descriptions that both Islam and Christianity appear not opposed to reincarnation. Of course, they don’t believe reincarnation in broader sense as Hindus do.
    Unaccomplished activities of past lives are also one of the causes for reincarnation. Some of us reincarnate to complete the unfinished tasks of previous birth. This is evident from my own story of reincarnation. “My most Revered Guru of my previous life His Holiness Maharaj Sahab, 3rd Spiritual Head of Radhasoami Faith had revealed this secret to me in 1999 during trance like state of mine. This was sort of REVELATION.
    HE told me, “Tum Sarkar Sahab Ho” (You are Sarkar Sahab). Sarkar Sahab was one of the most beloved disciples of His Holiness Maharj Sahab. Sarkar Sahab later on became Fourth of Spiritual Head Radhasoami Faith.

    This comment attempts to create scientific awareness about reincarnation amongst all so that a religious harmony can be achieved.

  2. His Holiness Sarkar Sahab (4th Spiritual Head of Radhasoami Faith and supposed to be my previous birth) was born in a Srivastava Kayastha Family on 12th December 1871 and departed on 23rd March 1913. He was a Lawyer by profession. After obtaining His degree in Law He started practice in District Ghazipur where He lived several years. During this period He used to visit and stay a nearby Village Pithapur. My parental house is also in this same village.

    I was also born in a Srivastava Kayastha Family on 5th September 1955 in Mohalla Tarinpur, District Sitapur. The parental house of His Holiness Dr. M.B.Lal Sahab, the Seventh Spiritual Head of Radhasoami Faith and my Guru in this birth) is also situated here (Tarinpur, Sitapur).

    There is a remarkable similarity between my Zodiac/Horoscope and of His Holiness Maharaj Sahab (the 3rd Spiritual Head of Radhasoami Faith). they are almost identical.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.