A reader posted a question regarding the post “The Urban Monk Says…” from 6/11. I’d like to share our correspondence. Belief in reincarnation requires plenty of faith and on the flip side of that faith is what seems like an endless array of mind-boggling philosophical questions… many of which I’d love to eventually touch on in this blog. Any suggestions?

zen trees
Our reader commented –

“If Buddhism doesn’t support the concept of reincarnation, then why all the tales of figuring out which child is the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama?”

The Reincarnationist replied –

“This is my question exactly. It’s very mysterious that zen buddhism would have the idea that the buddha was not a believer? … i wonder if this is widespread in zen or if it is just this monk’s interpretation? i’d like to read more about it. often religions stray over time from the original teachings, could this be the case in tibetan buddhism with the dalai lama and reincarnation? or is zen just so stripped bare that they’ve removed all belief whatsoever?”

Our reader commented again –

“I emailed him and asked the same question. This is the response:

‘It’s just that – a bunch of tales. His Holiness said on Larry King about six years ago that the more he learned about science, the more skeptical he became about the superstitious elements of the Tibetan tradition (which has less to do with Buddhism than with the magical beliefs that Tibetans already had when Buddhism arrived).

That’s why I say it’s the biggest misconception – because it’s something that many people identify as an integral part of Buddhism that is in fact quite contradictory to Buddhism.

In dynamic peace,
Rev. Dogo Nanshin Barry Graham Sensei'”

The Reincarnationist replied –

“Thank you, this is very interesting stuff re: superstition and magical thinking versus the core of a tradition. Reincarnationists must ask ourselves, is it the EGO that wants to believe I will be born again? Is this belief of ours fueled by FEAR? And the urban monk has a good point which is certainly worth some pondering: which version of ourselves is the reincarnating self?

Ultimately one religion/tradition is not going to solve such a riddle for any of us, particularly those of us who tend to believe in life after death because blind faith is what is needed here. Buddhists strive to find peace by not believing in ‘things’ and by going with the flow so to speak whilst not ‘attaching’ to any one aspect of the ‘flow’ – that is their wonderful tool for existing in this ever-changing, often painful physical reality. So then, what is the the tool for the Reincarnationist? What will help us keep an even keel on the long journey our souls have embarked on?”

Again, our reader –

“It has ever been thus that all religions have been ‘accused’ as stemming from magical thinking by an assortment of other groups. Belief and Faith may be the ultimate magical thinking.

Ontologically I don’t see a necessary conflict between fundamental teachings of Buddha and reincarnation.

Going with the flow as you put it whilst not attaching to any one aspect of the flow could easily fit into the concept of an ‘eternal life force’ flowing from one corporeal form to another and each one has the opportunity to consume fully the notion of “be-here-now” and attain an Enlightenment breaking such a cycle, yes?”

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