Comments on: Some Thoughts on Buddhism http://dreaminglife.org/2007/07/18/some-thoughts-on-buddhism/ a blog exploring lucid dreaming, entheogens, metaphysics, & the conscious experience Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:51:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Jacob Haqq-Misra http://dreaminglife.org/2007/07/18/some-thoughts-on-buddhism/#comment-3039 Jacob Haqq-Misra Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:27:40 +0000 http://dreaminglife.org/2007/07/18/some-thoughts-on-buddhism/#comment-3039 Part of the problem I have with a non-materialistic view of reincarnation is that it assumes that animal life reincarnates into other animal life. A look at the <a href="http://haqqmisra.livejournal.com/16433.html" rel="nofollow">RNA Tree of Life</a> shows that animals, plants, and fungi are only a small component of life's diversity on Earth. "Standard" reincarnation models say we could come back as a cow, but what about a tubeworm? Is a bacterial colony composed of a single reincarnated soul or many? Where is the line between <i>life</i> and <i>non-life</i> drawn? If there is life outside of Earth, is there a chance of reincarnating on another planet? That's not to say there is nothing beyond the material. I personally find incredible spirituality in the community of life, but I also have a hard time with some of these reincarnation models. Part of the problem I have with a non-materialistic view of reincarnation is that it assumes that animal life reincarnates into other animal life. A look at the RNA Tree of Life shows that animals, plants, and fungi are only a small component of life’s diversity on Earth. “Standard” reincarnation models say we could come back as a cow, but what about a tubeworm? Is a bacterial colony composed of a single reincarnated soul or many? Where is the line between life and non-life drawn? If there is life outside of Earth, is there a chance of reincarnating on another planet?

That’s not to say there is nothing beyond the material. I personally find incredible spirituality in the community of life, but I also have a hard time with some of these reincarnation models.

]]> By: Ben http://dreaminglife.org/2007/07/18/some-thoughts-on-buddhism/#comment-3260 Ben Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:28:23 +0000 http://dreaminglife.org/2007/07/18/some-thoughts-on-buddhism/#comment-3260 About reincarnating on another planet: Yes, from a Buddhist perspective, this is considered a possibility. I recently read a Q & A session transcribed from a live Buddhist discussion, and someone posed a question on reincarnation, and how can everyone that exists now be incarnations of previously existing life when the number of people on earth continually increases. (I suppose they were assuming humans always come back as humans?) The response included the possibility of being reincarnated into lifeforms on other planets in other parts of the universe. Honestly, I thought this was a WEAK response. As far as the rest of your question - I agree, I don't get it either, and I'm not sure what the response would be from someone who really believes reincarnation is a fact of reality. Anyone? About reincarnating on another planet:
Yes, from a Buddhist perspective, this is considered a possibility. I recently read a Q & A session transcribed from a live Buddhist discussion, and someone posed a question on reincarnation, and how can everyone that exists now be incarnations of previously existing life when the number of people on earth continually increases. (I suppose they were assuming humans always come back as humans?) The response included the possibility of being reincarnated into lifeforms on other planets in other parts of the universe.
Honestly, I thought this was a WEAK response.
As far as the rest of your question - I agree, I don’t get it either, and I’m not sure what the response would be from someone who really believes reincarnation is a fact of reality.
Anyone?

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