Advaita Philosophy and Buddhism: Reincarnation Without Atman

Buddhism explains reincarnation as a process of momentary consciousness, not a permanent Self.

### Understanding Reincarnation: The Buddhist Perspective on Atman and Consciousness
* 🧘 Dr. Indraki B. Swamiji addresses the question of why Buddhism, which believes in reincarnation, does not accept the concept of **Atman**, or a **permanent self**.
* 🔄 In Buddhism, it is emphasized that the physical body does not reincarnate; rather, it **perishes**, and what transitions from one life to another is **not a permanent self**.
* ❓ The Buddhist critique of the Hindu view argues that a **changeless Atman** cannot support the idea of **reincarnation**, as reincarnation inherently involves **change**.
* 🌊 Instead, Buddhism posits that reincarnation is a process where **momentary instances of a subtle body**, or Sukshma sharira, arise and perish, creating an **illusion of continuity** through retained impressions.
* 💭 This process is likened to a wave propagating through a rope, where each **momentary consciousness is fleeting** yet carries **memories and experiences from previous moments**.
* 🔗 The concept of "**Kshanika vijnana dhara**," or the **momentary stream of consciousness**, captures this idea of **continuous change without a permanent entity**.
* ⚖ The Advaitic response highlights that while the subtle body survives physical death, it is not the true essence, which is the **unchanging Brahman**, existence-consciousness-bliss.
* 🤔 Ultimately, the dialogue raises critical questions about the **nature of consciousness**, **continuity**, and the implications of a **permanent versus a momentary self** in the context of **karma and liberation**.

Can the idea of changeless self be consistent with reincarnation?  | Reincarnation and Stream of ...

Vedanta Society of New York

Buddhism's Perspective on Reincarnation and the Self

Buddhism rejects the idea of a permanent Atman or Self, which is central to Hinduism, as it believes that a changeless Self cannot be reincarnated.

Instead, Buddhism argues that the physical body dies and disintegrates, and the concept of a permanent Self is incompatible with the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth.

The Buddhist perspective challenges the notion that a permanent Self is necessary to explain reincarnation, proposing that the two concepts are not logically compatible.

The Buddhist Perspective on Reincarnation

Buddhism views reincarnation as a process of moment-to-moment change, rather than the rebirth of a permanent self.

The subtle body, or Sukshma sharira, perishes and is replicated continuously, creating an illusion of continuity through retained impressions.

This process is likened to a wave propagating, with each momentary consciousness flash bringing forth memories and thoughts, all encoded with subtle matter and lacking permanence.

The Buddhist and Advaitic Perspectives on Existence

The Buddhist view sees existence as a continuous cycle of change, with the mind and body constantly evolving and the subtle body (Sukshma sharia) surviving physical death.

The Advaitic perspective, however, emphasizes the unchanging nature of Brahman (existence consciousness bliss) and asserts that the mind-body's incarnation is an illusion.

The debate between the two philosophies revolves around the necessity of the Atman and Brahman consciousness in explaining the cycle of existence.

The concept of consciousness is debated between flashes (discrete moments) and continuity.

Flashes of consciousness raise questions about gaps and recognition, challenging the idea of separate and discrete experiences.

The argument suggests that a unifying background is necessary to make sense of consciousness, suffering, and the results of past karma.