4. Exploring Reincarnation

Introduction
 

Do we reincarnate and if we do what exactly is it that reincarnates? Is there evidence to prove that
reincarnation happens? Why would we want to go through another life on earth?

Belief in reincarnation is an ancient one. In the East, it is an integral part of Hindu philosophy
and religion, and may be found in the Laws of Manu, Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, the
Puranas and even in the earliest of the Vedas, the Rig Veda.

In the West, belief in reincarnation is more universal than is usually thought, especially in
the ancient pre-Christian periods. The earliest Greeks embraced belief in reincarnation. It
can even be found in the Orphic myths. In the 6th century BCE, Pythagoras included it among
his teachings. Herodotus (c. 484-425 BCE) speaks of it as part of the Egyptian religion.
Socrates and Plato (427-347 BCE) taught reincarnation, such as in his Republic (Book 10) and
in the dialogue Meno

Course notes on Exploring Reincarnation can be downloaded <from here>