You're quite right Mel T, every tradition has it's variations. Many believe in gods, some others believe in spirits, some blended with taoist traditions have a sort of nature-worship (I really like taoism actually, I find it compatible with buddhism, just explaining and percieving life from another angle).
Anywhoo, this was the belief the Buddha himself had on rebirth so far as I know. I personally don't adhere to a sect, but just read directly from the Buddha's teachings and do my best to interpret and understand them adaquately. Though I think all sects definately have their important pieces of wisdom, along with many non-buddhist philosophies. I especially find certain tribal shamanism practices fascinating and very usefull in my own self-exploration.

I think too it can be rather difficult to describe a certain aspect of buddhist philosophy, since almost all of them tend to relate to each other, and you must understand them all to completely understand one.
mrdevious Reviewed by mrdevious on . On the buddhist concept of Rebirth Personally I believe even the mind is an impermanent entity, constantly subject to change and utter reformation. I think the mind does proceed to have an effect on certain areas of existence beyond the physical body. I recently read and came to understand a buddhist monk's explanation of death, and why an enlightened being has no fear of it. While it's a bit too much to go into full detail right now, the theory is that once you extinguish the self you see that death is no different than one Rating: 5