SERIES:IV-Entry No.1
REINCARNATION (Re-Birth) and After Life Concepts : In In Indian Philosophy and Culture(Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism) and other World Religions!
Lately a lot of interest is seen in the questions like Mystery of death (Life after Death),Fate, Reincarnation (journey of soul),and other questions. As such in this series an attempt is being made to present the Indian View point which is most ancient and along with related concepts in other philosophies, Religions and cultures.Purpose is to discuss and present a ‘holistic picture’ related to these eternal questions which have been always there in the minds of people through out the world,with an unbiased,technical and scinetific approch and manner!Hope ,every body will cooperate with open mind and loving heart.e With LOVE to All and Malice to non!
An effort will be made to Elaborate, discuss,raise questions and get answers in unbiased scientific debate manner,as we proceed further and further in this direction on this Blog.
Hope you will find some very Interesting insight related to this topic Here & Now! I assure you its going to be an interesting journey:Come with Me! : Read, Raise questions and give your valuable comments, as we march on discovery of TRUTH in these matters!
With Love!
Best wishes!
@run
Britannica Concise Encyclopaedia defines Reincarnation defines as follows:
"Doctrine of the rebirth of the Soul in one or more successive existences, which may be human, animal, or vegetable. Belief in reincarnation is characteristic of Asian religions, especially Hinduism ,Jainism ,Buddhism an d Sikkism. All hold to the doctrine of ‘KARMA’, the belief that actions in this life will have thir effect in the next. In Hinduism, a person may be freed from the cycle of birth and rebirth only by reaching a state of enlightenment. Likewise in Buddhism, discipline and MEDITATION may enable a seeker to reach ‘NIRVANA’and escape the wheel of birth and rebirth. Mananchaeism and Gnoticism accepted the concept of reincarnation, as do such modern spiritual movements asTheosophy."
First A PRAYER :
“Asatho Ma Sathgamaya,
Thamaso Ma Jyothirgamaya
Mruthyorma Amrthangamya”
(Lead me towards truth from untruth
Lead me towards light from darkness
Lead me towards immortality from Death
( Upanishad , around 3500 B.C)
JUT WAIT a for a few minutes….
I am happy with the responses/Comments( 3 ) pouring in even before satring this series after the above "Invocation prayer", and writing these lines,as I have asked to wait as in the Last line above ("JUST WAIT for a few minutes). Pople are anxious to talk/know and comment.I love this curiosity for KNOWING these spiritual TRUTHS.
All this indicates the importance of this theme and the curiosity level among masses and intellectuals/scientists/philosophers, about these questions.This is not strange in the sense that People are Interested in LIFE as such which includes-Birth ,Death,Re-birth,Previous Lives,near death experience,etc.Inspite of scientific,semiscientific research and Philospohical and cultural efforts Many questions and answers still come under the category of MYSTEICISM TWILITE ZONE
ABOUT INDIAN RELIGION WIKI PEDIA STATES:
“ Hinduism(Sanatan Dharma,Universal Religion) accounts for 80% of the population of India Other native Indian religions are Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism. Islam invaded India in 11th century ,and their adherent Muslims make 17 % of the population, in spite of separation of Pakistan from India with a great chunk of Muslim population in 1947.
Ancient India had two philosophical streams of thought, the Shramana(Buddhist,Jain,Yogis,Nathas etc) religions/traditions , and the Vedic religion, parallel traditions that have existed side by side for thousands of years. Both Buddhism and Jainism are continuations of Shramana traditions, while modern Hinduism is a continuation of the Vedic/Upanishadic & Brhamanic tradition. These co-existing traditions have been mutually influential.”
About two percent of Indians adhere to Christianity. Zoroastrianism and Judaism also have an ancient history”.
About Culture of India,Wikipedia sates:
"The culture of India has been shaped by the long history of India, its unique geography and the absorption of customs, traditions and ideas from some of its neighbors as well as by preserving its ancient heritages, which were formed during the Indus Valley Civilization and evolved further during the Vedic age, rise and decline of Buddhism, Golden age, Muslim conquests and European colonization. India’s great diversity of cultural practices, languages, customs, and traditions are examples of this unique co-mingling over the past five millennium.
India is also the birth place of Dharmic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.The various religions and traditions of India that were created by these amalgamations have influenced other parts of the world too."
ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH -"Deepak Chopra" writes on his blog at ‘INTENT’:"
"The experience and reality you manifest after you leave your physical body will vary depending upon your state of consciousness(Level of enlightenment-Karma), just as your present reality is a function of your state of consciousness.For the enlightened, fully self-realized person,there is no compulsion to returnin physical form again. He or she has a choice at that point.
Those whose sense of self is still identified with the body, mind or ego("Subtle-body"-@run*) to whatever extent, will then carry that configuration of awareness forward and that will represent the seed around which future life karma will coalesce into another physical embodiment. This life will offer new opportunities to become self-realized and liberated from the cycle.
This is obviously a large topic and is further discussed in my book Life After Death."
*Added to explain/elaborate/Underline the technical term for ‘soul ‘(individual-’Atman’) when it migrates leaving Body as subtle body- @run
(to be continued …Here!)…..
About arun raghuwanshi
I AM THAT!
1.
I am not mind, nor int
ellect, nor ego,
nor the reflections of inner self (chitta).
I am not the five senses.
I am beyond that.
I am not the ether, nor the earth,
nor the fire, nor the wind (the five elements).
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva (The Ultimate Goodness Principle!),
Love and pure consciousness
2.
Neither can I be termed as energy (prana),
nor five types of breath (vayus),
nor the seven material essences,
nor the five coverings (pancha-kosha).
Neither am I the five instruments of elimination,
procreation, motion, grasping, or speaking.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva
3.
I have no hatred or dislike,
nor affiliation or liking,
nor greed,
nor delusion,
nor pride or haughtiness,
nor feelings of envy or jealousy.
I have no duty (dharma),
nor any money,
nor any desire (kama),
nor even liberation (moksha).
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.
4.
I have neither merit (virtue),
nor demerit (vice).
I do not commit sins or good deeds,
nor have happiness or sorrow,
pain or pleasure.
I do not need mantras, holy places,
scriptures (Vedas), rituals or sacrifices (yagnas).
I am none of the triad of
the observer or one who experiences,
the process of observing or experiencing,
or any object being observed or experienced.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.
5.
I do not have fear of death,
as I do not have death.
I have no separation from my true self,
no doubt about my existence,
nor have I discrimination on the basis of birth.
I have no father or mother,
nor did I have a birth.
I am not the relative,
nor the friend,
nor the guru,
nor the disciple.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.
6.
I am all pervasive.
I am without any attributes,
and without any form.
I have neither attachment to the world,
nor to liberation (mukti).
I have no wishes for anything
because I am everything,
everywhere,
every time,
always in equilibrium.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.
I am Sada-Shiva,Sada-Shiva!
I am That!
*****
Visit : Arun Raghuwanshi @ www.yogaway-international.com
Hi Arun-
Can you explain – 'Indian' religion for me? I'm assuming you mean people Living in India of which I have no knowledge of – only "Indian" as in "Anerican Indian".
So much of what you write is SO amazing, sensible, and I appreciate you incorporating so many faiths/religions for further understanding of your readers!
Loving Namaste,
thank you in advance!
Kashzka
i don't believe in an individual soul because the nature of ultimate reality has no place for individuals, anything that could possibly make one an individual belongs to the relative truth, and since the relative truth is a lie,that means a separate individual is a lie, although there are "separate" alayas, or storehouses of karmic stains, they belong to the 5 heaps, and have no actual existence. But that is why Buddhism is not Hinduism. Anyway, i will be interested in the series, and the comments.
@run, I believe I was here before as for some reason or another I have this path and wrote a blueprint on it this time as the Tibetan Book of the Dead suggested that we selected our parents as if we were here before..Spirit manifested the physical body but around 7-8 ego shows up and blocks Spirit from there as most people will encounter the "Wheel" for the rest of their slaved life…as to want materialization to happen to them as they are already materialized (coincidentally, how that works out)..As something inside my deepest reality is pointing to me to keep going forward and never look back again(one hand clapping)
Peace Soul Bro of JAI HO!(+)
Dom 777
Dear @run,
The power of mind must be consider in all process to die because our believes are in mind(I think). Overcome the mind with positive and constructive belives allow know the magnitude of the spirit and his force and power above the body. I know the Powa Cerimony and that brings
the full peace. Death becomes the passage for the highest level to reach the Divine(if we improve ourselves). Reencarnation can be sight throught the journey the persons in the same family. How they can be so different from each other…? The experience the death brings the reality of the value of all things in the life. All is an illusion. Inside building outside. (make a sense what I said?)
Minha gratid
dear arun,
thanks for this interesting post. will be waiting for the rest.
Wish you love, peace and happiness.
Trisha
Dear Dominic
Glad for adding new things to this dicussion,which we will emphasize as we proceed with the dicussion here(and Now!).On 'hand clapping' I would like to say here that it is another name for 'Anhad'('unherd sound' of Yoga for Divine/Cosmic Sound, heard by yoies in their heart/Mind during deep meduitation)which reached to Japan By China with the export of Buddhism from India upto Japan,where it became/or transformed in to ZEN,as 'Dhyana'(Meditation) of Yoga became 'Chan'in China, and Zen in Japan.All this Journey of Buddhism from India to tibbet,China,Thiland,Sri lanka and Japan is very intresting which we will dicuss in the following pages in comming days with your partcipation!So please continue your involvement here in now and onwards!
Never look back again,I am with You! We all together have to go on in the spirit of the Prayer/Mantra'
" , ? ?? ?????? | : ?? ?? ??????? | : ?? ?????? ??????? | : ??????? #2344;??????&# 360;??? | : ?? ????? #2366;??? || : Om saha naavavatu : Saha nau bhunaktu : Saha viiryan karavaavahai : Tejasvi naavadhiitamastu : Maa vidvishhaavahai : OM let both of us(Teacher and disciple) protect each other together, may both of us enjoy together, may both of us work together, let our study become radiant, let there be no hatred between us, ? ??????? ??????? ??????? : Om shaantih shaantih shaantih : Om pace, pace, pace, pace!Upanishad
I will communicate again,as have to attend some one this moment!,so see you soon!
With Love and best wishes!
@run
@run, thank you my kind man…as I to have to go to work but will be back this evening..
Peace Soul Bro of JAI HO!(+)
Dom 777
Dear Kashzka
Glad that you liked the presentation and for your appreciation of its significance in inreasing cross cultural undrestanding between diverse faith/religions and cultures through out the globe!
As for me 'INDIAN RELIGION' is that ancient tradition of religious practices,and the culture as such that started/Originated and developed with the establishmant of the 'Indus valley civilazation', then 'Vedic civilization', and establishmant of 'Vedic Religion' ( now called'Sanatan Hindu' Dharma or 'Eternal/ancient Hindu Dharma/religion),then origin of varied religions( like 'Jainism','Buddhism' and other sramanic practices like YOGA,Tantra etc.!!) from it mid-way and it continuation as the basic/orignal/ancient tradition and practices till now (and stiil progressing with modificatins and additions/delitions) in the modern day "Hindu way of Life & Living" .You may call it culture or "Indian Religion" or amusingly the 'Big Brother' 'Sanatan HINDU DHARMA' mother/fathe or Big brother of all the religons dveloved in this continent or other parts of the world with modifications or improviastions from this basic religious scheme, if I may say so without biases of religious superiority(or inferiorotity complexes of others),a pure technical historical/spiritual fact!( the 'ancient universal Hindu Dharma/religion! that orginated in Vedic times,some 5000 yeras ago in the Indian Continent) to 'mediavil times' practices or "Brahmanic ritiuals" that dominates the total RELIGIOUS paranamo of 'Present day India'. All this tradition/culture/rituals/Books and other religions like Buddhism,janism and Sikhism etc collectively, I call it "INDIAN RELIGION/TRUE SECULAR HINDISM!" if one can understand and wills to understand objectively or for the sake of establishment of 'TRUTH', here through INTENT(which most people shun to accept for reasons of their own,no need to go in those details here).
I would not/never have revealed/elaborated of my own for reasons of my own ,this fact(or hard 'TRUTH'), but or, if you would not have asked me to define 'INDIAN RELIGION'(and not 'Hinduism'),only with the purpsose and intention of enlightning you for better under standing(not for boosting it on you ? (God save me from that arrogance or any other thing than/eccept my love for 'TRUTH,Only'!) of evolution of divine principles (God related theorories/religions/practices) around the globe!
As for the name 'American Indan',there has been a prolonged contoversy about calling native americans as 'Red Indians'.It originated with naming Natives of amarica being called Red Indinss becuse,When coloumbus started for his voyage o dicove a new route to India he accedntially reached America insted of India, and called natives 'Red Indians'. thinking that continent is Inida.Since than several more politically correct terms were tried such as Native Americans, Original Americans, First Nations, Indigenous Peoples of Americaas retaining the name 'Indian' in an attempt to qualify it: American Indians (or simply Indians), the American Indian race, Amerindians, and Amerinds.But it may we called the destiny for worlds two most democratic contries of present times(INDIA AND AMERICA) having an assciation/coming together in the name of the Natives form the time of first discovery of this new continent.It may be called an irony that it took ore than 600 years to them to have a common stragitic alliance in recent traeaty between India and Ameica,probably because of goegraphical distance and 'Cold wars'; or probaly 'God Willed that way to wait till the 'emergence of new consciousness for coming togetrer of the East and West to 'welcome coming of 'new Masiha(Redeemer,2nd Christ/Avtar/Navi) in present age!,who knows?).Amen & Jai Ho!
Hope I have answered your question in full and final!,ofcourse a little late because I waited for the Divine('That') to speak through "mE to 'YOU',on this very important matter/question!How evr the discussion must go on,of course on new lines for the understanding of other facts and more urgent TRUTHS related to this important Theme,we are dicussing Reincarnation and all that!Hope you understand my subtle purpos in telling all that!to MY audinec/Readers of this Blog at INTENT!
With love and best wishes!
@run
Dearest Arun,
I thank you for answering my 'specific' question….quite facinating I must say!!!!
Not to worry-I did not perceive boasting and the 'American Indian" information interesting addition….the more we become enlightened, the better the world….
Namaste!
kashzka
Dear Samuel bonney
I am happy that you liked and showed intterest in the present series!Thanks!
As said by you 'dont believe in the 'indivusal soul'.'No problem in that,as I also see no difference in the two views.
In the 'Upanishadic' philosophy , the 'soul '' Jiva'(organism) is a part of the 'universal/cosmic consciosuness' , before becoming indivaualized as soul(Jiva) due to 'karmic load' during cosmic trans migration it (soul) befor coming in ti existence agian(during death and birth cycles). But here the indiviual actually means "in-divisble'(which can not be dived any further) or not seprate from the 'cosmic consciousness in any practical manner excpt it requies the removal of/getting rid of the 'illusion'/ignorance (taking body-mind as the real being/consciousness) through proces of enlightenment or 'Buddhahood' and 'Nirvana' .So there is no disagreement in our view.
So 'individuality' is not at 'sou'l / consciosness level.It is at 'body mind complex' level only and that too in mind only.Not in consciousness which is 'beyond time,'which is a psyche phenomenon. With the realization in yoga the soul realizes that it is not seprate and have never been sprate from the universal source-cosmic consciousness.The sepration is only at the levcel of Mind due to the ignorance/illusion of the 'soul' about its ral identity.
As rgarding origin of Buddism I would reinstate that it originated in India i association with sanatan Hindu Dharma.It took many philosophy and theories diredctly from the six Philospohyical systems frely,as Siddha befor becoming Buddha was being educated under the Hindu teachers and Saints and enlightened persons.Only with certain modifications and ipprovisations and use of new terms for spiritual terms from Hindism Buddha manifactured his rligion.Like mediatation got mdofied from its journt/export from India (its place of origin)to china and then in Japan.The same process we see in the modifications in Yoga in west.
So there is no scope for doubting that ;Buddhism' is a 'divergent child' of the 'Sanatan Dharma'/ universal Indian Religion( Hinduism).However many people show some reluctance(due to some biases) to accept this historical and spiritual fact/Truth.The parralance is so evidient in the similarities in the theories related to life death soul and wisdome godesse concepts.etc.almost un-ending list between both ther religions . If descirbed in detail,but it is not possible here in the scope of present entry.Needing an open live dicussion at length,with evidences,which are plenty.Hope sufice at the moment.
Hope ,you will maintain your intrest in the discussions going on here and partcipate in this manner, commenting/asking and adding information to this important theme for better understanding between people of diverse faiths and religions or schools to understand the other views too, for spirital growth.
With love and best wishes!
@run
i agree that whether there is an individual soul is somewhat semantic, but what i said stands, the karmic load does not belong to an "individual", it still it universal no matter what, Spirit never wears any of the dresses EGO picks out. As for the origin of Buddhism, i agree it is from Hinduism, Buddha was a Hindu like Yeshua was a Jew, and Xtianity came from Judaism. I can't imagine what possible argument can be made for anything else.
Dear Ser Ana
Loving Namste!
Thanks for apprciations of this Blog entry and also taking part by way of valuable and encourasing comments and dicussion by adding some new points to think up on(it is adding to my knowlede-as your remarks, about "Powa cerimony of Buddhism").
In this regard I would like to say as I have said above. there is a 'TWILIGHT ZONE'(Mysterious) of "Rincrnation" and after death "Jorurney of 'Soul/holy soul/'Ruhu'/Conciousness"(of Hindism/Chritianity/Islam/Buddhism respecively ,the word for 'soul' in 4 main religions).
Every religion and culture have developed their own Rituals/Cerimonies,etc. to be conducted by Pandit/Priest/Molbi/dhammacharya, in a social/public function, along with relatives and friends of the deceased for the welfare of the "tarns migrating soul/consciousness",after death of a person.This is done in different countries/cultures /relgions based on thieir own respective assumptions and ideas about which their can be no geral agreement, but there is a some common pattern even , then. However we have to understand its purpose and significance.
About this I will say that each community and relgion or culture has to follow his own traditions and ideas without pointing right and wrong in another religion, becasue the purpose of all these rituals is the "welfare of the soul" and consolation to the relatives of the deceased , that they have done every thing according to the prescrptions in their respective rligion/traditions(and there is no harm in all this) And that ,this is sufficient.Let every body do it iaccording to his own liking and way !As some peole wear blue shirts , otehr like red Tshirts and sitll others some other dress ,the purpose is ones own conveninece and satisfaction.Nothing right or wrong.There is no scope of any controversy.No dictation. Every society/or culture has his own peculiar way and right to do so. So no discussion on this part.Let us leave the 'twilight zone' for the departed soul to enjoy his journey to divine!
We will know thismystery when we inividually depart and transmigrate , that actually what happens?Why to worry now. Just do if you like as prescribed in your own religion or devise your own way for consolation and adjustment to face the reality of death and ways of consolation in ones , his or her own way!
Hope you can understand my point.I have no problem in understanding what you said! So dont worry on this account.Hope I am clear in this regard!
With love and best wishes!
@run
T
Dear SB
Thanks for taking interest in the present Enrty.Soon you will find new entry about this theme.
With Love!
@run
Dear Samuel
Thanks for taking such sincier participation and explanation and understanding.
As regarding wehthe indiviual soul has karmic load or not.these are the ways to saying things in different way or slightly different way in different philosophies/religions/cultures of different countries,which were separated by distance and lack of communication.With the increasing inter inter actions in present times some common terminology and ways of presentation are emerging to place a comprehensive picture regarding this presently TWILITE ZONE,dicussion.
So its sufficient to stop here and wait things to emerge in due course which is convincing and satisfies every body,everywhere in a generalized way.Amen!Jai Ho!
Hope you will take similar intrest in the Next Entry in thisseries,coming soon based on the dicussion till now!Just wait!
With love and best wishes!
@run