Buddhism and Rebirth, Oneness, Timelessness — and you are everyone: True Rebirth

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    In the vast tapestry of Buddhist philosophy, one thread stands out – the belief that we all have lived countless past lives in the ceaseless cycle of births. This leads to the compelling Buddhist teaching that at various points in time, all beings have been our mothers, as taught by Buddha in the Matta Sutta.

     

    In the vast tapestry of Buddhist philosophy, one thread stands out – the belief that we all have lived countless past lives in the ceaseless cycle of births. This leads to the compelling Buddhist teaching that at various points in time, all beings have been our mothers, as taught by Buddha in the Matta Sutta.

    This notion that might seem outlandish at first glance, but stay with me. Buddhism, with its intricate web of reincarnation and karma, suggests that our souls are on a never-ending journey, constantly reincarnating into different forms. This cycle, known as Samsara, is influenced by our actions, our karma, and it carries on until we reach Nirvana, a state of liberation and ultimate bliss, free from the cycle of birth and death.

    Now, let’s take a detour from Buddhism and venture into other faiths. Many spiritual paths entertain the concept of rebirth, albeit in different forms and interpretations. From the ancient Egyptians and their belief in the afterlife, to Cathar and esoteric Christians, Jainists, and many Hindus, the concept of rebirth is a common thread that weaves through the tapestry of human spirituality.

    But what about science, the realm of the empirical and the quantifiable? Does it entertain such metaphysical concepts? The answer, surprisingly, is yes. Enter Thomas Campbell, a NASA physicist, who challenges our understanding of reality. According to Campbell, our conventional notions of time and space are illusions.

    He posits, “There is no time. There is no space. Everything is one.” In essence, we’re all experiencing everything, all at once.”

    Sounds mind-boggling, doesn’t it? But consider this: you are not only you, but also the neighbor, the dog, the child on the skateboard, the grumpy man in the corner store. You are me, the Dalai Lama, Leonardo DaVinci, Isaac Newton, Joan of Arc. You are everyone, all at once, in all points of time, and all points of space. The catch? You’re focused on seeing and experiencing reality through your perspective only, at this moment.

    To summarize, the concept of rebirth and interconnectedness is as vast as it is profound. From the Buddhist belief in the endless cycle of births, to other spiritual paths that hold rebirth in high regard, and finally to the scientific explanation that challenges our perception of reality, we’re led to a startling conclusion: we are all one. We are all interconnected, and in a mind-blowing twist, we are all experiencing everything, all at once. So, next time you meet someone new, remember: they might just have been your mother in a past life. And who knows, they could be you in another reality. Quite the concept, isn’t it? Now, take a moment to let that sink in. True Rebirth would love to hear your  comments and opinions on this provocative “probability” below. Until next time, keep questioning, keep exploring!

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    Lee Kane

    Author | Buddha Weekly

    Lee Kane is the editor of Buddha Weekly, since 2007. His main focuses as a writer are mindfulness techniques, meditation, Dharma and Sutra commentaries, Buddhist practices, international perspectives and traditions, Vajrayana, Mahayana, Zen. He also covers various events.
    Lee also contributes as a writer to various other online magazines and blogs.

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