why are you bothering about past lives?... you might have been an ant suresh..so when next you see an ant..pay your respects... don't tell me you thought you were the queen of Sheba? after all you might have been buddha however chances are you were more likely an earthworm merle Suresh,
Well, what you ask is a common enough question in Hindu and Buddhist circles. I wonder what YOU think about it. In Ch'an and Zen sanghas where I was a part, the question was often put by newcomers to the teacher, or shif-fu, or roshi. I've practiced formally for 35 years in these circles, and the question does sometimes come up, usually brought by newcomers or visitors. Invariably, my teachers recommended that we pay more attention to THIS life, because it is the only life in which we can currently Practice. The teachers took their job to be helping us to practice, not to be discussing philosophy, nor even empirically scientific reality, with us. Time is short! You will remember that there were famously 14 Questions that the Buddha refused to answer. Yours is among them, in various forms. These were questions that the Buddha claimed "...do not conduce toward Awakening." I personally do not know what to make of reincarnation, or past lives, and have not really given it a thought. This, despite the fact that I am a Philosopher by academic training. My interest in Practical Buddhism long ago overtook my desire to work logically on philosophical issues. However, IF the matter of past lives should present itself in experience, I will pay attention to it at that time. Who wouldn't? How about you?: What intimations of past lives have you had? Regards, --Joe > "Suresh" <varamtha@...> wrote: > > Thanks Bill and Joe. > > I have understood. Now another question is , Buddha had mentioned about > remembering his past lives. Having enlightened and practiced zen for 40 years > will you be able to remember your past lives? If not why?
