How does consciousness pass from one body to the next at the moment of rebirth? Is it similar to how radio waves travel through air from one emitter to the receiver?
Also, if I die in Europe, is it possible to be reborn in, say, Japan?
Rebirth mechanics
Re: Rebirth mechanics
Consciousness is not a static thing which can travel through space. A consciousness moment arises, performs it's function, and passes away. This happens very rapidly. However, one consciousness moment conditions the next, which is why we have the illusion of continuity over time. In a similar fashion, the death consciousness moment conditions the birth consciousness moment.
Distance makes no matter. You can die in Europe and take birth in Japan with no problem.
The precise mechanics have never been studied by anyone so there is no answer to your primary question.
Distance makes no matter. You can die in Europe and take birth in Japan with no problem.
The precise mechanics have never been studied by anyone so there is no answer to your primary question.
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Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
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Re: Rebirth mechanics
Six common misconceptions of a permanent self:
1. The body
2. Feelings
3. Perceptions
4. Mental formations
5. Consciousness
6. The world
(None of the above constitutes a permanent self.)
Sorry, don't have the exact Sutta reference handy.
1. The body
2. Feelings
3. Perceptions
4. Mental formations
5. Consciousness
6. The world
(None of the above constitutes a permanent self.)
Sorry, don't have the exact Sutta reference handy.
Re: Rebirth mechanics
Thanks for that.Peter wrote:Consciousness is not a static thing which can travel through space. A consciousness moment arises, performs it's function, and passes away. This happens very rapidly. However, one consciousness moment conditions the next, which is why we have the illusion of continuity over time. In a similar fashion, the death consciousness moment conditions the birth consciousness moment.
Distance makes no matter. You can die in Europe and take birth in Japan with no problem.
Surely the Buddha must have taught this?Peter wrote: The precise mechanics have never been studied by anyone so there is no answer to your primary question.
Re: Rebirth mechanics
Did my question imlpy that consciousness was self?TheDhamma wrote:Six common misconceptions of a permanent self:
1. The body
2. Feelings
3. Perceptions
4. Mental formations
5. Consciousness
6. The world
(None of the above constitutes a permanent self.)
Sorry, don't have the exact Sutta reference handy.
Re: Rebirth mechanics
I don't recall the Buddha saying anything about the mechanics of it other than saying that craving makes it happen. Without craving, it doesn't happen.
- Peter
Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
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Re: Rebirth mechanics
Kind of in this sentence:Stefan wrote: Did my question imlpy that consciousness was self?
Consciousness does not "pass" from one body to the next; otherwise it would imply a permanent consciousness or self. I know it is more to do with the vagaries of language and you did not mean that.Stefan wrote:How does consciousness pass from one body to the next at the moment of rebirth?
It is more of a continuation in a series. The usual analogies are a flame, river, etc. Not the same river, not the same flame, but a continuation of the series.
Re: Rebirth mechanics
OK, thanks. How should I say it then?TheDhamma wrote:Kind of in this sentence:Stefan wrote: Did my question imlpy that consciousness was self?
Consciousness does not "pass" from one body to the next; otherwise it would imply a permanent consciousness or self. I know it is more to do with the vagaries of language and you did not mean that.Stefan wrote:How does consciousness pass from one body to the next at the moment of rebirth?
It is more of a continuation in a series. The usual analogies are a flame, river, etc. Not the same river, not the same flame, but a continuation of the series.
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Re: Rebirth mechanics
Perhaps, "what are the mechanics of rebirth?" or "what is reborn?"Stefan wrote: OK, thanks. How should I say it then?
You are not satisfied with my answer above? Reprinted (reborn) here:
It is more of a continuation in a series. The usual analogies are a flame, river, etc. Not the same river, not the same flame, but a continuation of the series.
Re: Rebirth mechanics
Is this correct then:
Wikipedia wrote:Rebirth: belief that consciousness arising in the new person is neither identical to, nor different from, the old consciousness, but forms part of a causal continuum
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Re: Rebirth mechanics
Sounds good to me.Stefan wrote:Is this correct then:
Wikipedia wrote:Rebirth: belief that consciousness arising in the new person is neither identical to, nor different from, the old consciousness, but forms part of a causal continuum
Re: Rebirth mechanics
Maybe: What are the mechanics of death consciousness conditioning birth consciousness?Stefan wrote:How should I say it then?
- Peter
Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
Re: Rebirth mechanics
Peter wrote:Maybe: What are the mechanics of death consciousness conditioning birth consciousness?Stefan wrote:How should I say it then?
Re: Rebirth mechanics
Stefan wrote:Is this correct then:
Wikipedia wrote:Rebirth: belief that consciousness arising in the new person is neither identical to, nor different from, the old consciousness, but forms part of a causal continuum
I think the writer is confusing two different questions.
"Neither identical to nor different from..." is the answer to the question: "Is someone in the present life the same person that he was in a past life, or is he a different person?"
But if the question is: "Is consciousness of the present life the same or different to the consciousness of the past life?" then the answer is that it is different. Even the past consciousnesses that arose within the present life are now dead and gone, and no longer existent, so how much more so the past consciousnesses that arose in past lives.
Re: Rebirth mechanics
"With what as condition is there birth?"Stefan wrote:OK, thanks. How should I say it then?
And see the Nalakalapiyo and Mahanidana Suttas.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html