No Rebirth or Reincarnation?

[dharmasponge]

Being born every moment is no more valid though really. The description doesn't correspond with our experience. Our experience is of a continuous stream of awareness. It may not be but that's how it appears. My point being that you have no first hand experience of being born moment to moment.

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[RichardH]

Being born every moment is no more valid though really. The description doesn't correspond with our experience. Our experience is of a continuous stream of awareness. It may not be but that's how it appears. My point being that you have no first hand experience of being born moment to moment.

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Hi Dharmasponge. To be honest I don't experience a continuous stream either. By being born moment to moment.. I just mean that if I am walking down the street, there is just footfall and traffic sound, and no "me". But if someone walks up and says "Hey Fathead!", suddenly "I" am born opposite him.

Gassho
Daizan

[dharmasponge]

Impressive :-)

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[RichardH]

Being called a fathead does make an impression, but practice goes on.. Gassho

[dharmasponge]

Where does the birth come from, you or him?

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[RichardH]

Both at the same time. I wouldn't turn it into a theory, it's just an everyday experience, but sure, both appear. Gassho

[chicanobudista]

Not wanting to stir the pot....here are interesting videos from Ajahn Brahm:

[chicanobudista]

[Amelia]

Thank you all for some of the lovely posting in this thread.

Bows

[Joyo]

I'm a skeptic that life exists at all after we die. I've seen firsthand how the threat and fear of a hellish afterlife is an easy way to feed fear into the hearts and minds of people. With that being said, I've had several things happen in my life that are unexplainable, seem to almost be, dare I say, supernatural. None of this affects my practice though. As others have already said, we practice here and now, this is where we are, this is all that exists.

Gassho,
Joyo

[Jundo]

I'm a skeptic that life exists at all after we die. I've seen firsthand how the threat and fear of a hellish afterlife is an easy way to feed fear into the hearts and minds of people. With that being said, I've had several things happen in my life that are unexplainable, seem to almost be, dare I say, supernatural. None of this affects my practice though. As others have already said, we practice here and now, this is where we are, this is all that exists.

Gassho,
Joyo

Lovely.

If there is no more after we die ... there is life right here. This is all that exists.

If there is something after we die ... such is right here too. This is all that exists.

We can't loose!

I will say that I find it amazing that, against all the seeming odds that cosmic events would have turned out differently (even one left turn when we needed a right) you and I ended up born in this life now. One little furry ancestor who got eaten before reproducing ... one meteor strike in the wrong place or time ... one great-grandma who never met great-grandpa and fell in love ... and seemingly we should not be here. Our being here is very much madly ridiculous!

And, since the madly ridiculous happened once ... why not again? Such happening would be just more madly ridiculous!

Gassho, J

[Mp]

I'm a skeptic that life exists at all after we die. I've seen firsthand how the threat and fear of a hellish afterlife is an easy way to feed fear into the hearts and minds of people. With that being said, I've had several things happen in my life that are unexplainable, seem to almost be, dare I say, supernatural. None of this affects my practice though. As others have already said, we practice here and now, this is where we are, this is all that exists.

Gassho,
Joyo

I agree ... wonderful Joyo. =)

Gassho
Shingen

[RichardH]

The question of rebirth.. this idea of a linear continuity, it is a red herring. It is only a problem for "me" .. Dwelling on it is like being a dog chasing a stick, instead of a tiger keeping its eyes on the person who threw it..... if that makes sense. And an agnostic view is not the same as "don't know", it still just dwelling on the stick.

This probably makes no sense.. better just go paint, words get annoying. . Gassho Daizan

[dharmasponge]

What evidence is there that mind cases though. One thought gives rise to another ad infinitum. Unless you're a materialist...then I'll see you at the bar, mines a Guinness! 😆

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[RichardH]

What evidence is there that mind cases though. One thought gives rise to another ad infinitum. Unless you're a materialist...then I'll see you at the bar, mines a Guinness! ��

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Just re-reading that beautiful poem by Kosho Uchiyama Rosh that Jundo posted. For me the heart of the matter is all there. Just live and die... "Herein lies unlimited depth".

I'll still meet you at the bar though.. and have a cranberry and soda..