Reincarnation in Your Religion

BUDDHISM | CHRISTIANITY | HINDUISM | ISLAM | JUDAISM | WICCA

Buddhism

In a nutshell:

Reincarnation is an important doctrine in Tibetan Buddhism, but is not always embraced by Western Buddhists. Many Buddhists who accept reincarnation believe in the

bardo

, a spiritual realm where the soul goes between dying and rebirth.

In detail:

Lama Surya Das

describes the variety of Buddhist views on the afterlife.

Discuss:

Is reincarnation the same as rebirth?

What aspect of us is reincarnated?

If the Self doesn't exist, how can it reincarnate?

Related link:

Preparing for Reincarnation

Transcript on Tibetan Buddhism from the NPR series "The End of Life: Exploring Death in America."

Christianity

In a nutshell:

Most mainstream Christian denominations reject the concept of reincarnation, citing, among other Bible passages, Hebrews 9:27: "It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment."

In detail:

Scripture scholar Ben Witherington III

explains that, for Christians, earthly life is a one-time-only affair.

Discuss:

Does the New Testament support reincarnation?

Reading the Elijah and "blind man" scripture passages

Really Born Again: Evangelicals who believe in reincarnation

Related links:

Debunking "support" for reincarnation in the New Testament

Origen and Beyond:

Reincarnation in the history of the early church

Christian Denominations

CATHOLIC

|

MORMON

|

EASTERN ORTHODOX

Roman Catholicism

In a nutshell:

The Roman Catholic Church rejects reincarnation; its catechism states categorically that "Death is the end of man's earthly pilgrimage" and "There is no 'reincarnation' after death" (

read citation

).

Discuss:

Redemption, Purgatory, and reincarnation

Reincarnation, the early Christians, and body theology

Related link:

Come Again?

Accessible article on the resurgence of belief in reincarnation, its history, and the Catholic position on it, following the March 1997 Vatican Conference on Reincarnation and the Christian Message.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

In a nutshell:

The LDS Church teaches that there is only one physical death for any one person. Within a lifetime, each person experiences spiritual "births," but these "do not in any way constitute any type of reincarnation," according to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism. After death, existence in a spirit world precedes the resurrection. Eventually those who lived the gospel of Jesus will have a glorified celestial body.

Discuss:

Reincarnation and the Book of Mormon

Related link:

LDS Theology Rejects Reincarnation

Eastern Orthodox Christians

In a nutshell:

Eastern Orthodoxy teaches that "The moral progress of the soul, either for better or for worse, ends at the very moment of the separation of the body and soul; at that very moment the definite destiny of the soul in the everlasting life is decided. ...There is ...no reincarnation" (

read citation

).

Continued on page 2: »