What is reincarnation? From the cycle of reincarnation to the growth of the soul

"What happens when a person dies?"

One answer to this fundamental question is "reincarnation." "Reincarnation" means that life is repeatedly reborn, like a wheel that keeps turning. "Reincarnation" literally means being reborn. In other words, it refers to the magnificent cycle of life in which death is not the end, but rather a new life in a different form.

In this article, we will take a deep look at how the concept of reincarnation was born, how it has developed, and how it has influenced culture and thought in Japan and around the world. This article will surely clear up your questions about reincarnation, and you may come to like this word and concept even more.

目次

1. Where Did Reincarnation Come From? Its Origins and Early Thought

2. Diverse Interpretations of Reincarnation in Major World Religions

3. The Deeper Meaning of Reincarnation: Interpretations Changing with the Times

4. Reincarnation in Japan：A Unique Evolution of Thought

5. What Does Reincarnation Teach Us About Life?

1. Where Did Reincarnation Come From? Its Origins and Early Thought

The concept of reincarnation emerged thousands of years ago in ancient India, long before the birth of Buddhism.

The Dawn of Ancient Indian Thought: The Vedas and Upanishads

The term "reincarnation" (or a similar concept of rebirth) appears in the Vedas, the sacred texts of Brahmanism believed to have been composed around 1200 BCE. Early ideas were quite simple: people believed that after death, souls ascended to the sky, descended to Earth as rain, passed through plants and animals, and were eventually reborn as humans.

This notion spread throughout India by around 500 BCE, laying the groundwork for various religions and philosophies that followed.

The Mechanism of Reincarnation: The "Theory of Five Fires and Two Paths"

The Upanishads, a collection of philosophical texts, introduced a more detailed mechanism for reincarnation known as the "Theory of Five Fires and Two Paths."

• Five Fires (Pancha Agni): This concept illustrates the five stages a soul undergoes after cremation. The soul, akin to smoke, ascends to the moon, then descends as rain to Earth, enters the fruit of plants, passes through the semen of a man who consumes these plants, and finally resides in the womb, gaining a new body. Each stage is metaphorically likened to a "fire."

• Two Paths (Dvi Marga): It was believed that after death, souls could take one of two paths:

  • The Path of the Ancestors: This path leads to repeated reincarnation.

  • The Path of the Gods: This path leads to the heavenly realm, offering liberation (moksha) from the cycle of rebirth. The theory also suggested a "Third Path" for those who performed evil deeds, leading to rebirth as insects or other lower forms of life.

The Deep Connection Between Reincarnation and Karma

The idea of reincarnation is intrinsically linked to the concept of Karma. Derived from the Sanskrit word for "action," Karma encompasses all our good and bad deeds and intentions, whether performed through our body, speech, or mind. The law of cause and effect (karma) dictates that these actions directly influence one's destiny in the next life:

• Good deeds: Lead to a better, less suffering-filled next life.

• Bad deeds: Result in a future life in a lower, more suffering-ridden realm.

This combination of reincarnation and Karma created a powerful ethical and moral system, emphasizing that individual actions impact not only the present but also future existences. It highlighted the principle of self-responsibility, greatly contributing to social order and ethical development.

2. Diverse Interpretations of Reincarnation in Major World Religions

Originating in India, reincarnation was adopted by various subsequent religions, each adding its own unique interpretations.

①Buddhism: The Six Realms of Rebirth and Liberation Through "Anatta" (Non-Self)

In Buddhism, reincarnation is understood as beings repeatedly cycling through the Six Realms of Rebirth (Six Gati), which are realms of suffering and delusion. These six realms, where all sentient beings are destined to be reborn based on their actions, are:

• Hell Realm: The most agonizing realm.

• Hungry Ghost Realm: A world of perpetual hunger and thirst.

• Animal Realm: The world of beasts, constantly plagued by anxiety and fear.

• Asura Realm: A realm filled with conflict and anger.

• Human Realm: Our current world, where both suffering and joy are experienced, and where one has the unique opportunity to attain enlightenment.

• Deva (Heavenly) Realm: The most pleasurable realm, but still impermanent and part of the cycle of delusion.

The realm one is reborn into is determined by their "attractor karma (in-gō)" accumulated until death. One's appearance, family background, and intelligence in that realm are determined by their "fullness karma (man-gō)."

The ultimate goal in Buddhism is liberation (moksha) from this endless cycle of rebirth. By attaining enlightenment and severing the ties of karma, one can achieve nirvana, a state of ultimate peace and freedom from suffering.

"If There's No Soul, What Reincarnates?": The Concept of Alaya-vijnana

Buddhism teaches "anitya" (impermanence) and "anatta" (non-self), denying the existence of a fixed, permanent "soul" or "self." This naturally raises the question: "Then what is reborn?" The concept of Alaya-vijnana (Storehouse Consciousness) provides the answer. Alaya-vijnana is likened to a "storehouse" of the mind, where the "seeds" or "potentials" of our past actions (karma) are accumulated. It is these karmic potentials that eventually manifest as an individual's destiny.

Alaya-vijnana is said to exist long before the physical body is born and continues even after the body perishes, representing an "eternal flow of life." It's often compared to a vast river, where physical bodies appear and disappear like bubbles.

Buddhism, while accepting the concept of rebirth from Brahmanism, reinterpreted it through its unique lens of "non-self." This allowed for a more consistent Buddhist soteriology, where rebirth is understood as "suffering" from which "liberation" is sought.

②Hinduism: The Union of Atman and Brahman

Hinduism also fundamentally embraces the doctrine of reincarnation. It believes that the soul (atman) born into this world leaves the body at death and is reborn in another form. In Hinduism, divinity is believed to reside within all living beings, and the individual soul (atman) is considered a sacred entity. The physical body is merely a vessel for the soul, which itself is eternal, without beginning or end. Reincarnation is deeply intertwined with the teachings that one's destiny in the next life is determined by their faith and karma. Historically, this was often associated with India's caste system, where one's current caste was explained as a result of past life karma. To be born into a higher caste in the next life, good deeds in the present life were considered essential.

The ultimate goal in Hinduism is also moksha (liberation), signifying complete freedom from the bonds of karma and the cycle of rebirth. It is believed that by recognizing the inherent unity of the individual soul (atman) with the ultimate reality of the universe (Brahman), one can achieve moksha.

③Jainism: Karma as "Matter" and Liberation Through Asceticism

Jainism also teaches that living beings perpetually cycle through a world filled with suffering. A key characteristic of Jainism is its view of karma as a subtle form of "matter." Actions (karma) performed through mind, speech, and body are believed to adhere to the soul like invisible particles, binding it and preventing liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Therefore, asceticism is highly emphasized for liberation. By removing accumulated past karma and preventing new karma from attaching, the soul can become pure and attain liberation.

This emphasis on asceticism in Jainism includes strict fasting, non-violence (ahimsa), avoiding bathing, and even self-plucking of hair and beard. The belief that karma is "matter" directly led to the practice of physical austerity as a means to cleanse the soul.

3. The Deeper Meaning of Reincarnation: Interpretations Changing with the Times

The concept of reincarnation has never been static. From its origins to the present day, its meaning has transformed significantly across different eras, cultures, and philosophical frameworks.

Evolution of the Concept and "Spiritual Growth"

Early interpretations of reincarnation generally assumed the existence of an eternal soul or Atman that perpetually reborn. However, as Buddhism introduced the doctrine of "non-self" and viewed reincarnation as a continuity of karma, interpretations deepened.

Of particular interest is the concept of "Reincarnation" (often spelled in English) that emerged in 19th-century France. Strongly influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution and social evolutionism, this idea took on a more positive connotation, suggesting that the soul repeatedly reborns to "spiritually grow".

Thus, reincarnation began to be seen not merely as a cycle of suffering to be escaped, but also as a process of soul evolution and self-improvement. This interpretation has influenced modern spirituality and New Age thought, sometimes leading to the idea that "current difficulties are choices for soul growth," thus connecting it with a philosophy of self-responsibility.

The Essence of Reincarnation: Soul, Consciousness, and Karma

Reincarnation offers the idea that life doesn't end with the death of the body but continues in a new form. There are various interpretations of the "subject that reborns":

• Brahmanism/Hinduism: The Atman (universal soul) is the subject, and its actions (karma) determine the next rebirth.

• Buddhism: Denies a fixed soul, positing that a flow of consciousness (Alaya-vijnana), which stores karmic seeds, is the subject.

• Jainism: Views karma as "matter" that adheres to the soul, causing reincarnation.

These diverse interpretations demonstrate that reincarnation is more than just a view of the afterlife; it forms the core of each religion's or philosophical system's understanding of humanity, the world, and salvation. Furthermore, Karma is a universal law that continuously influences the past, present, and future. In a spiritual sense, it's often said that "actions from past lives are carried into the present," and that gratitude and positive thinking are crucial for resolving karma.

What is the Ultimate Goal: "Moksha" or "Liberation"?

Moksha or Liberation is the concept of breaking free from the cycle of suffering and delusion (samsara) to achieve eternal happiness.

• Buddhism: The ultimate goal is to attain enlightenment and be freed from the bonds of rebirth. In particular, Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land Buddhism) teaches that by the power of Amitabha Buddha (other-power), one can achieve rebirth in the Pure Land, which is complete liberation from samsara.

• Hinduism: Moksha is the state where the individual soul (Atman) unites with the ultimate reality of the universe (Brahman).

• Jainism: Liberation is attained by eradicating the defilements of karma, for which strict ascetic practices are highly valued.

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4. Reincarnation in Japan：A Unique Evolution of Thought

When the concept of reincarnation arrived in Japan from India, it merged with indigenous Japanese culture and beliefs, undergoing a unique transformation.

Pre-Buddhist Japan: The "Ancestor's Return" Cyclic View

Before the introduction of Buddhism, Japan possessed its own "cyclic" view of life and death, exemplified by the belief that "ancestors are nearby and return a few times a year."

This ancient concept, possibly dating back to the Jomon period, was even reflected in funeral rites for young children, involving magical rituals to wish for the child's speedy rebirth. It was an idea born from observing nature's cycles—just as plants wither in winter and sprout in spring, or the moon wanes and waxes, so too might humans die and be reborn.

Although Shintoism originally lacked the concept of reincarnation, the belief that ancestral spirits return during the Obon festival indicates that the sense of deceased loved ones "returning" was deeply ingrained in Japan.

The Arrival of Buddhism and "Shinbutsu Shugo": A New View of Life and Death Born from Fusion

When Buddhism was introduced to Japan from the late 6th to 7th centuries, the Indian concept of reincarnation also arrived. During the Nara period, it was accepted, and in the Heian period, Genshin's Ojo Yoshu (Essentials of Pure Land Rebirth) vividly described hell and paradise, greatly influencing the contemporary view of life and death.

During this period, Japanese Shinto and Buddhism underwent a fusion known as Shinbutsu Shugo (Syncretism of Kami and Buddhas). To smoothly spread Buddhism, existing Shinto beliefs were not completely eradicated; instead, both faiths incorporated each other's beliefs and rituals. This led to Buddhist statues being enshrined in Shinto shrines and Shinto deities being worshipped in Buddhist temples.

Notably, the Honji Suijaku theory (original essence and manifest traces) proposed that Shinto deities were merely temporary manifestations of Buddhist Buddhas and bodhisattvas appearing in Japan, emphasizing the relationship between kami and Buddhas. Shinto and Buddhism shared the commonality that death was not the cessation of existence but rather a continuation of existence in some form.

This Shinbutsu Shugo allowed the coexistence of Buddhist teachings of "karmic transmigration and liberation" with indigenous Shinto beliefs about "impurity" and "ancestral spirits returning nearby." While a Buddhist view of reincarnation, where souls go to paradise or hell and then reborn into this world, became accepted, the sense of closeness to deceased ancestors remained unchanged. The boundary between the living and the dead was ambiguously accepted. This demonstrates Japan's unique flexibility in religious views, meaning that reincarnation was embraced not just as a doctrine but deeply rooted in people's daily lives and emotions.

Reincarnation in Japanese Literature: The Tale of Genji and The Spider's Thread

The concept of reincarnation has profoundly influenced Japanese literature, shaping the Japanese view of life, death, and ethics.

• The Tale of Genji

  Reincarnation is intricately woven into the narrative as a crucial element. The recurring patterns in characters' lives and the interpretation of certain women as reincarnations of past women add depth to the story.

• Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's The Spider's Thread

  This short story takes inspiration from the Buddhist concepts of the Six Realms of Rebirth and karmic retribution. It depicts Shakyamuni Buddha in paradise attempting to save Kandata, a great thief suffering in hell, by lowering a single spider's thread. However, Kandata's self-centered "ego" causes the thread to break. This work emphasizes the Buddhist teaching of "jigo jitoku" ( reaping what one sows), while also, some interpret, implying a critical perspective where even the Buddha's compassion can be rendered powerless in the face of human karma.

5. What Does Reincarnation Teach Us About Life?

The concept of reincarnation, far from being merely a view of the afterlife, has evolved significantly from its ancient Indian origins through major religions and diverse cultural spheres, including Japan. Its meaning has been deeply intertwined with the prevailing eras, societies, and philosophical backgrounds.

In ancient India, it merged with the concept of Karma, establishing the universal law of cause and effect, where an individual's actions determine their future life. This served as a powerful norm for maintaining social order and encouraging ethical behavior.

In Japan, the pre-Buddhist "cyclic" view of life and death, based on natural cycles and ancestor worship, merged with the Buddhist concept of reincarnation through "Shinbutsu Shugo." This fusion created a uniquely Japanese, multi-layered view of life and death, where the afterlife was perceived as both a distant "other shore" and a familiar, nearby place.

Overall, reincarnation is one of humanity's diverse answers to fundamental questions about life, death, and their continuity. This concept has not merely remained an abstract metaphysical speculation but has profoundly influenced individual ethics, social structures, and the formation of culture and art. Learning about this grand concept of reincarnation might provide an opportunity to reflect on our own views of life and values. Did you discover anything new about reincarnation or life in this article? I hope it offered you a new perspective on your life and views on mortality.