In a message dated 10/29/07 10:00:39 PM, [email protected] writes:
> Possibly, but I wouldn't call that a form of reincarnation because > reincarnation involves the *soul* transmigrating (except in Buddhism > where there is no soul.) > Hi Susan, This view is common, but seems to be based in a desire to contrast Buddhist teaching with some Christian religious views, particularly the notion that an individual self exist in a way that can enter into an eternal state of reward or punishment after death. I suspect this discourse on Buddhist teachings originates with western Buddhists defining Buddhism as not-being-Christianity, otherwise, this idea of not teaching a soul would probably not have arisen. Instead the discussion would have gone in the direction of the points in common and in contrast. In any event, it's probably not accurate to say Buddhism teaches there is no "soul." There is no universally held view among Buddhists on this question. Also, to ask whether Buddhism teaches that the "soul" exist requires that some definition of soul be given. Since there is no definitive definition for "soul," even in Western thought, it is impossible to argue that Buddhism teaches there is no soul. More important, in several Suttas (Mahali Sutta, Jaliya Sutta) it appears that Buddha refuses to answer the question of the soul, but even in these instances it is not entirely clear that soul, or all the matters of soul, are being unanswered. What seems clearer is that He is teaching His disciples to focus on Buddhist ethics rather than metaphysics. Bearing in mind that some Buddhist teachings includes the concept of hells and heavens, of afterlife punishments, self-conscious persons returning, of persons having achieved Nibbana still living and conscious in this world, etc. It is possible to align Buddhist teaching with a variety of Western concepts of the soul, including an immortal soul--and especially the key points of Platonic teaching. It perhaps works better to say some Buddhist reject the Christian concept of the soul and Buddhist texts give no direct answer to the question of the soul as it is understood in Western traditions, other than to deny such ideas as eternal punishments. That said, the basic idea of the soul, as mind, will, and desire, independent of body and immortal is, in my view, suggested in much Buddhist teaching and narrative. Warmest, Michael ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent by the Johnson County Community College ("JCCC") and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[email protected] Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
