Can I get something straight here? Just for my own peace of mind?

Question

Reincarnation is not a fundamental Buddhist belief.

You're thinking of Hinduism. They're quite different.

Some Buddhist sects believe in reincarnation, but many do not. Buddha himself never said one thing about the afterlife one way or the other. He said it wasn't "of the moment." The afterlife isn't terribly important in Buddhism. Because Buddhism began in India, where the predominant religion was (and still is) Hinduism, many Buddhists continued to believe in reincarnation. However, many other sects in places like Japan, have a very atheistic view on the afterlife, and believe when we die, we return to the universe, and everything that makes us "us" ceases to be.

I keep seeing people answer the "What do Buddhists believe in?" questions here with "They believe in reincarnation." I just wanted you all to know that that is not necessarily true. Buddhism is not as rigid as other religions, and in fact, many Buddhists have widely different beliefs.

Sorry for the rant. :)

Answer 1

Do u know "Newtons thrid Law" .It states " For every action there is equal and opposite reaction.

Theory of Reincarnation is closely linked with that.

Answer 2

Association with the Dalai Lama naturally gives the impression that reincarnation is a tenet of Buddhism, as you can't read a paragraph about him without seeing the word "reincarnated".

Some Buddhists are vegetarians, some are carnivores. Many Buddhists who don't believe in any kind of god pray to Buddha as if he were a god. Buddhism as a religion is so malleable, in fact, that technically a person could be a born-again Christian and still practice Buddhism.

Answer 3

Well, GW...I think that's like saying "Christians don't believe in infant Baptism"....

....while it might be true for some modern Protestant Christians...a GREAT majority have always practiced it and always will.

I know MANY Buddhists (mostly from Cambodia, Burma and Lhasa/Tibet) and ALL of them hold to a doctrine of reincarnation...saying that "a few Japanese sects do not" is pretty weak for your argument.

Ask the Dalai Lama. I know that HE does!! ;-)

That's all

Answer 4

I hadn't ever associated Buddhists with reincarnation. I was surprised some people did. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at anything here.

Answer 5

Reincarnation is just natures way , have you ever watched a tree through the year

Answer 6

Yah! Everyone knows Buddhists believe in an alien spaceship hiding behind a comet!

Answer 7

see this site for more info on reincarnation oand buddhism. father K, you should read more. The buddhist tradition is more alignes with transmigration, and not Hindu reincarnation.

Answer 8

Buddhist Teachings


A key concept in Buddhism is nirvana, the final goal for the Buddhists Donald K. Swearer gives insight into this important concept.



Nirvana has been a troublesome idea for the students of Buddhism. Just what is it? The term itself does not offer much help. Like not-self (anatta), nirvana is a negative term. Literally, it means the "blowing out" of the flame of desire, the negation of suffering (dukkha). This implies that nirvana is not to be thought of as a place but as a total reorientation or state of being realized as a consequence of the extinction of blinding and binding attachment. 23/44



There are five precepts taught by Buddhism that all Buddhists should follow:



1. Kill no living thing (including insects).

2. Do not steal.

3. Do not commit adultery.

4. Tell no lies.

5. Do not drink intoxicants or take drugs.



There are other precepts that apply only to monks and nuns. These include:



6. Eat moderately and only at the appointed time.

7. Avoid that which excites the senses.

8. Do not wear adornments (including perfume).

9. Do not sleep in luxurious beds.

10. Accept no silver or gold.



Sacred Scriptures



In Theravada Buddhism there are three groups of writings considered to be holy scriptures, known as "The Three Baskets" (Tripitaka). The Vinaya Pitaka (discipline basket) contains rules for the higher class of Buddhists; the Sutta Pitaka (teaching basket) contains the discourses of the Buddha; and the Abidhamma Pitaka (metaphysical basket) contains Buddhist theology. The total volume of these three groups of writings is about 11 times larger than the Bible.



In Mahayana Buddhism the scriptures are much more voluminous, as Clark B. Offner reveals:



"A Mahayanist is one who reads Mahayana scriptures" is the definition given by one ancient Buddhist scholar. In contrast to the comparatively limited scope of the Pali canon used by Theravada Buddhists, Mahayana scriptures have multiplied to the point where standard editions of the Chinese canon encompass over 5,000 volumes. While the oldest scriptures are based on Sanskrit and contain much that is parallel to the Pali canon, other scriptures which have no Sanskrit prototypes have been written in Nepalese, Tibetan and Chinese.



Since there are no clear limits to the Mahayana "canon," comparatively recent works by later innovators are often given de facto canonical status in the sects which adhere to their teachings. As there are such a number and such a variety of scriptures, most Mahayana sects have chosen certain favorite ones to which they refer exclusively. The fact is that some such selection is necessary, for this extreme bulk and breadth of the scriptures makes it impossible for believers to be acquainted with, let alone understand and practice, the often contradictory teachings found in them.





Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism


One form of Buddhism that has seen a revival of sorts in the past fifty years is a Japanese mystical sect known as Nichiren Shoshu. Its recent growth has been astounding, as chronicled by Walter Martin:



In 1960 Daisaku Ikeda was inaugurated president over 1.3 million members. Ikeda expanded NSB's evangelism in foreign countries, opening a branch in the United States in 1960. The quickly growing branch or the sect held its first convention in 1963 in Chicago, with representatives from ten chapters. By 1973, membership was more than 250,000. From 1960 to 1973, NSB in the United States increased three-hundred fold! Japanese growth was even faster. The number of practicing Japanese families grew from three thousand in 1951 to more than seven million in 1971.



The origins of Nichiren Shoshu go back to a Japanese reformer named Nichiren Daishonon, who lived in the 13th century A.D. He was convinced that the true faith was taught by Dengyo Daishi (named Saicho before his death) who had introduced Tendai Buddhism to Japan in the eighth century.



Nichiren went about preaching his newly discovered truth, condemning all others as false religions. This did not go over well with the authorities, making Nichiren the object of persecution. Nichiren was both arrested and exiled for his preaching, many times narrowly escaping with his life. At the time of his death in 1282 he had attracted many followers.



Central to Nichiren Shoshu belief is the "gohonzon." The gohonzon is a black wooden box containing the names of important people in the Lotus Sutra and is used as a private altar. The gohonzon supposedly contains universal forces that control the devotee's life. There is, they believe, a direct connection between events in a person's life and the treatment of the gohonzon.



The worship ritual practiced by Nichiren Shoshu members is called it gongyo." The practice consists of kneeling before the gohonzon, the recitation of passages from the Lotus Sutra, then the rubbing of rosary-type beads while chanting the daimoku - "nam-myoho-rengekyo. "



The chief object of worship in Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism is a shrine known as the Dai-gohonzon located at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. Individual gohonzons are mystical representations of the Dai-gohonzon.



Nichiren Shoshu's recent accelerated growth (1970 figures by the Japanese Office of Cultural Affairs put membership at over 16 million) can be attributed directly to its missionary emphasis.



Zen Buddhism


Zen is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that has become widely known in the West.



The Chinese added to the many schools of Buddhism a new school, whose name reveals its history. Dhyana is the Indian word for meditation; it was changed in China to Chan and in Japan to Zen, which is now the best-known title of this sect.



Zen actually developed about a thousand years after the death of the Buddha. However, it contains Buddha's emphasis on meditation which led to his enlightenment. One statement attributed to the Buddha has become a frequent reference by Zen teachers: "Look within, you are the Buddha." One famous story tells about a man who desired to be a Zen master. He asked to be taught Zen. The Zen master did not speak but began to pour a cup of tea for his visitor, using a cup that was already filled. The extra tea overflowed and ran across the table to drip to the rice-mat covered floor. Still the Zen master kept pouring until the pot was empty. He finally spoke: "You are like this cup," he said. "You are full. How can I pour Zen into you? Empty yourself and come back."



Central to Zen practice is zazen. Zazen is the method of sitting in Zen meditation, which is done daily at specific times with occasional periods of intense meditation lasting one week. The goal is final enlightenment.



In Zen the sudden illumination or enlightenment is known as satori. Satori is an experience beyond analyzation and communication, bringing the practitioner into a state of maturity. The experience of satori comes abruptly and momentarily, but it can be repeated. It cannot be willed into existence.



Part of Zen's attraction is that one is not required to be responsible in evaluating anything in the world or even in his own thoughts. One loses his capacity to think logically and critically. While the Bible commands Christians to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21,22), Zen mocks critical analysis.

Answer 9

though I didn't ask thanks for the clarification. :-)

(((hugGs)))