Reincarnation - When the world explodes!!

This question goes out to those who believe in reincarnation. I understand the basic idea; you die and your spirit or soul is almost recycled into that of a newly born baby (I am being very general, I apologize if I offend anyoneâ??s beliefs with my broad generalizations but for the sake of the question, I hope it is forgivable).

How would the theory of reincarnation play into a planet wide disaster, such as Earth being destroyed by a meteor, a second ice age where everything is killed off, or disaster that reduced humans to the 1,000â??s? Where would all the souls go?

El Fantistico :smoking:

They would go to the lake which burns with fire and sulphur, preparated since the creation of the world, and where they will be tormented night and day, for all the eternity...
Cause who goes to the heaven dont reincarnate...

Many belief systems, such as Hinuism (probably too broad) and certain sects of buddhism believe that there are 7 realms of existence. They believe, dependin on the state of your mind when you die, that you are born into different realms after death (though you can certainly still be born into the same one, that being Earth).

Also keep in mind that the theory's of reincarnation and rebirth are different. While I have no solid belief in the matter, I find the idea of rebirth under traditional buddhist philosophy most probable. In rebirth, there is no soul or permanent self. The self is merely a vast and complex collection of many processes, constantly arising and falling in and out of existence (looking at the quantum world, and to a degree the bio-molecular world, this holds true).

If one does not reach enlightenment, the cycle of rebirth continues. This is because an unenlightened mind still clings to many things, the biggest being ones own existence as a distinctly separate entity. When you die the processes that make up the self fall apart, and "you" do indeed die. But, there is a remaining essence of your consciousness that still clings to your living form. And so, being in a state of clinging and craving (craving is a central aspect of clinging), this base energy, this shadow of your consciousness, seeks to return to it's living state. Thereby, it seeks out a developing fetal consciousness that most closely resembles your former living self, and joins with that foetus to create new being that holds the experiences of your former life, while creating the fresh aspects of the new life.

in cases of mass deaths without a corresponding rise in birthrate excess souls are stored in the celestial database until proper hosts can be found.

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Originally Posted by delusionsofNORMALity

in cases of mass deaths without a corresponding rise in birthrate excess souls are stored in the celestial database until proper hosts can be found.

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In most eastern philosophies regarding this though, the maximum wait time is 40 days. It's interesting that 40 seems to be a favorite number among ancient religions in all corners of the world.

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Originally Posted by Gandalf_The_Grey

In most eastern philosophies regarding this though, the maximum wait time is 40 days.

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in the original contract there was a substantial penalty if souls were made to wait more than 40 day. this was later amended when no agreement could be reached concerning the amount and means of payment and everyone realized that they couldn't use the cash until they were reborn and there was a built in "you can't take it with you" clause in the original agreement.

If there's a huge cataclysmic event that wipes out 50% or more of the population, people are reincarnated as an extraterrestial being, or they have to wait until they can be reincarnated into a human.

Wow, Gandolf and delusions... are you pulling my leg? It sounds like something someone would believe in... but more in a Matrix sorta way... great answers thought!! Thanks you for playing!! Your Rice-a-Roni is on it's way!

El Fantistico :smokin:

oh boy!!! the san fransicsco treat.

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Originally Posted by el_fantistico

Wow, Gandolf and delusions... are you pulling my leg? It sounds like something someone would believe in... but more in a Matrix sorta way... great answers thought!! Thanks you for playing!! Your Rice-a-Roni is on it's way!

El Fantistico :smokin:

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Actually the Matrix is largely based on Buddhism.

When considering the scenerio of Earth's destruction with this reincarnation question, it is important to know that reincarnation is not limited to this planet but it extends to all universes and all dimensions. You may die as a human but gain rebirth in another realm altogether. For example, in my belief system there are six different realms of exsistence. So if you die as a human you may be reborn as a god, ghost, demigod and etc.

The movie "The Matrix" is based on the Buddhist model of samsara, here is a site that outlines some of the similarities Matrix Philosophy