| Reincarnation is the belief that when one dies, one's | | | | and old age in its physical body, so it advances to |
| body decomposes, but the soul travels to another | | | | another body after death. The wise are not disturbed |
| body. It is a belief that one has lived before and will live | | | | in mind by this change called death. Just as men cast |
| again in another body after death. The bodies one | | | | off worn-out garments and put on new ones, so the |
| passes through need not be human. One may have | | | | infinite, immortal Soul casts off worn-out bodies and |
| been a Doberman (dog of German origin) in a past life, | | | | enters into new ones. |
| and may probably be a little rat in a future life. | | | | According to Hinduism the journey of life on earth is a |
| From a philosophical point of view, what is it that | | | | path that takes place over and over again until one |
| reincarnates? Presumably, it is the Soul. As per | | | | attains perfection, or the kingdom of God. This concept |
| Hinduism, a lifespan on earth is not a discrete one-time | | | | is found in the Upanishads, an ancient series of vedic |
| event. Rather, it is just one episode in the play. There | | | | scriptures. |
| will be multiple appearances (births) before the soul | | | | This doctrine states that when the material body dies it |
| finally takes leave from the cycle of birth and death. | | | | returns to the elements of the earth. The soul, |
| Birth is not just limited to being born as a human; it | | | | however, ascends either into the heavens or into hell |
| includes births as animals, plants, even as divinities that | | | | according to the sort of actions and behaviors it |
| rule material nature. The appearance of the soul in any | | | | performed while living on earth. While in these worlds, |
| of these forms is called reincarnation. After so many | | | | the soul will either repent for its sins, or learn new |
| births when the soul is freed from being reincarnated, it | | | | lessons that will be of use when it returns to earth. |
| is in the state of mukti or liberation. This is the ultimate | | | | The next body the soul gets is also determined by the |
| state. | | | | state of mind that the being was in at the time of |
| As the soul moves from one body to another, it | | | | death. This new birth is not only restricted to being |
| carries forward the reactions that it has accumulated | | | | re-born as a human being, but also includes animals |
| by performing various deeds. This can be thought of | | | | and plants species. All these creations have lives, and |
| as a personal account that each soul is associated | | | | thus souls. |
| with, irrespective of the current body. The account | | | | The goal of reincarnation is to attain perfection. That |
| would have both the good and bad reactions of past | | | | means to go back to Krishna, the Supreme Personality |
| deeds. These reactions are called karma. | | | | of Godhead. |
| Just as the Soul advances through childhood, youth | | | | |