Reincarnation

Reincarnation or samsara is the beginningless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The rebirth idea follows from the traditional Yoga psychology concept of karma,the memory trace or "seed" laid down in the unconscious by each freely chosen action or thought, which is stored until the opportunity arises for it to sprout forth as an impulse to do a similar action or thought again. The unconscious contains all the karmic seeds laid down during this life and from all previous lives. The presence of such karmas and their impulse to sprout is the cause of one's rebirth. Removal of karma from one's unconscious by spiritual discipline (Yoga) results in release (moksa) from rebirth. Originating from Hinduism, this idea was adopted by Jainism and Buddhism in India, and is also found in Platonic thought.

See also HINDUISM; KARMA; LIFE AFTER DEATH

HAROLD COWARD