This post is in the Dharma Battleground section, didn't really know where else to put it. So, be forewarned, lol.
Questions:
Did the Buddha teach reincarnation?
Did the Buddha teach rebirth, as in a rebirth as an actual animal, deva, or Mahasiddhi?
What about Anatta? If one sees and knows Anatta, doesn't then all reincarnation beliefs become seen only as mental formations? i.e. Delusions?
I guess that is enough to start off. I am not stating that I know one way or the other. I can only say that having visionary experiences of "previous lives" in other times and places , for me is not enough of a proof, as they are not me, not mine, and not myself.
And, as a side question, Does believing in Reincarnation really help one towards Nibbana, would not the Clinging to such ideas be a hindrance, in other words, a wormy way for the mind/ego to wish for higher realms?? Another delusion?
Right now, and of course things may change, Reincarnation and Rebirth seems like nonsense talk. Excepting that the Mind and Body are "reborn" moment to moment, the Ego Formation likes to believe it is solid, and ignores that it is just a continual wheel like process, ephemeral , at best. So, delusion and ignorance may like to be "reborn".
Though I do understand that we, whatever "we" are, as these unseperable temporary formations are made up of the Universe, and therefore "we" , as elements, or energy, or whatever "stuff" , are as old as the Universe itself. Well, assuming that Time is not also just another illusion, lol.
Nothing lasts, but nothing is lost. William Blake
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; rather, it transforms from one form to another.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_of_energyAnd, I do not know who said it, but it is comforting, I saw someone write somewhere,
"You can't fall out of the Universe."
Main pointSo, the main point of this thread, if there is a possible conclusion here, haha.
IF the Buddha did not teach reincarnation, then why teach reincarnation under the Buddha's umbrella?
So, my main question is , Did the Buddha teach reincarntation?? Or not?
My vote is that the Buddha taught Anatta, and did not teach Reincarnation, or Rebirth.
Psi