Rebirth: Guide to Mind, Karma and Cosmos in the Buddhist World
Roger Jackson
Rebirth, or reincarnation, was assumed by most premodern Buddhists – and is believed by many modern Buddhists – to be “the way things are” for sentient beings in the cosmos: we have lived before, and likely we will live again. Combining lecture, discussion, and guided meditation, this workshop will situate the Buddhist idea of rebirth within world and Asian cultures; analyze the historical Buddha’s attitude toward rebirth; describe the realms of rebirth, the causes and conditions of rebirth, and the relation between karma and rebirth; consider traditional arguments in favor of rebirth; and describe and reflect upon the place of rebirth within modern Buddhism.