what is buddhism evidence of reincarnation?
-
i would like buddhists to explain their beliefs
-
Isn't there some topics on this already?
-
Originally posted by january:
Can you find out for yourself?
i would like buddhists to explain their beliefs -
Some scientific explaination would be nice, especially if I can execute physical testing.
-
seeing is believing?Originally posted by CraZySmarT:explaining is dumb
seeing is believing
do you know that there is something call illusion trick.
Do you know that there is a thing call magic trick.
Can you see molecules with your naked eyes? -
I'm not up to date on this topic. As you can probably tell, the area where I have the most exposure is Christianity.
There appear to be some experiments that seem to point to evidence for reincarnation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation_research
As with any wikipedia article, take it with a grain of salt and look up the references.
My view is that it is very unlikely as there seems to be no mechanism for reincarnation. Even supernatural events but have an effect on the physical world and we don't have any evidence for that. Also, unless we can have some good testable hypothesis, it's very hard to prove that reincarnation does occur.
I suppose, based on the article, more research is warranted though. -
Originally posted by Phaze:
It seems you haven't read the references then.
I'm not up to date on this topic. As you can probably tell, the area where I have the most exposure is Christianity.
There appear to be some experiments that seem to point to evidence for reincarnation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation_research
As with any wikipedia article, take it with a grain of salt and look up the references.
My view is that it is very unlikely as there seems to be no mechanism for reincarnation. Even supernatural events but have an effect on the physical world and we don't have any evidence for that. Also, unless we can have some good testable hypothesis, it's very hard to prove that reincarnation does occur.
I suppose, based on the article, more research is warranted though. -
For those interested, do read the previous discussions on rebirth in the Atheist Unite forum and my own Buddhist forum:
Belief in Reincarnation Tied to Memory Errors
why do people believe in past lives?
buddhism is alright but still faulty.....
and many more -
I would call that pseudo science indoctrination.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:For those interested, do read the previous discussions on rebirth in the Atheist Unite forum and my own Buddhist forum:
Belief in Reincarnation Tied to Memory Errors
why do people believe in past lives?
buddhism is alright but still faulty.....
and many more
-
You are correct. I did not look up the references. As I mentioned, this has not been a particular focus of mine.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:It seems you haven't read the references then.
I'm not exactly sure what you have issue with? I said that there appears to be evidence that supports reincarnation. However, no one has produced a scientific, testable hypothesis for a mechanism of reincarnation. Are you saying that the statement is wrong? And that had I done a literature review, I would have found a peer reviewed paper that at least suggested such a mechanism? -
There are instances of ppl who report that they have recollection of their past lives.All these are of course hearsay reports and are to be viewed with "a pinch of salt".Originally posted by Phaze:You are correct. I did not look up the references. As I mentioned, this has not been a particular focus of mine.
I'm not exactly sure what you have issue with? I said that there appears to be evidence that supports reincarnation. However, no one has produced a scientific, testable hypothesis for a mechanism of reincarnation. Are you saying that the statement is wrong? And that had I done a literature review, I would have found a peer reviewed paper that at least suggested such a mechanism?
Nonetheless they are there, and it is up to you to find them and form your opinion.
Unless you come across an example first hand, you will be skeptical.
To digress to the the human mind (mind, mind you, not the brain!).
It is reported that the best of us use at most 10% of our mental capacity. What about the other 90%? What is it for? Is it unused? Blocked off? Do they store past experiences? Are we evolving into increasing our mental capacity?
Perhaps you might find your answer there, in the mind. -
another similar thing is astral projections where people claim out of body experiences.Originally posted by mancha:To digress to the the human mind (mind, mind you, not the brain!).
It is reported that the best of us use at most 10% of our mental capacity. What about the other 90%? What is it for? Is it unused? Blocked off? Do they store past experiences? Are we evolving into increasing our mental capacity?
Perhaps you might find your answer there, in the mind.
all this evidence are actually just mind stuff what. related key terms are psychological effects, neurology, fallacies, illusions, causality, correlation, belief system.
i have not read the research evidence for reincarnation though. -
There is no magic in the mind bah. maximising ur mind would means think faster, become smarter, more inventive and more logical. THe wisdom and knowledge gained from these things will then bring benefits to the person.Originally posted by mancha:To digress to the the human mind (mind, mind you, not the brain!).
It is reported that the best of us use at most 10% of our mental capacity. What about the other 90%? What is it for? Is it unused? Blocked off? Do they store past experiences? Are we evolving into increasing our mental capacity?
Perhaps you might find your answer there, in the mind.
past memories, power to time travel, power to fly, power to produce web like spiderman, power to become wolverine. all this is possible if you want to be that creative but i think its still far fetched. lets leave it for the movie industry to come up wtih such scripts. -
The 10% thing is a myth. The topic is discussed at http://www.csicop.org/si/9903/ten-percent-myth.htmlOriginally posted by mancha:There are instances of ppl who report that they have recollection of their past lives.All these are of course hearsay reports and are to be viewed with "a pinch of salt".
Nonetheless they are there, and it is up to you to find them and form your opinion.
Unless you come across an example first hand, you will be skeptical.
To digress to the the human mind (mind, mind you, not the brain!).
It is reported that the best of us use at most 10% of our mental capacity. What about the other 90%? What is it for? Is it unused? Blocked off? Do they store past experiences? Are we evolving into increasing our mental capacity?
Perhaps you might find your answer there, in the mind.
And I completely agree with what you said about hearsay reports. Evidence from personal testimony is usually very unreliable. That is why you need to have research with the proper methodology.
I don't think I need to come across an example first hand. I've never been to moon but I accept that the moon exists and that man has landed on the moon. What I do require is evidence that is testable and repeatable.
Obviously, we use our mind to find all answers. But we need to use our minds to come up with experiments that allow us to gather evidence. Human intuition is often wrong and is not reliable when used by itself.
The universe is stranger than we know. Some would argue that it's stranger than we can know. That is why we need science and the scientific method to help us describe and understand our universe. -
I mentioned in my previous post that the claim that we only use "10% of mental capacity" is a myth.Originally posted by mancha:To digress to the the human mind (mind, mind you, not the brain!).
It is reported that the best of us use at most 10% of our mental capacity. What about the other 90%? What is it for? Is it unused? Blocked off? Do they store past experiences? Are we evolving into increasing our mental capacity?
However, even if that were true, it is not evidence for reincarnation.
What is it for? We just don't know. Making up explanations does not answer the question. -
What evidence do you have to prove that you are a intelligent being, january? As far as I have seen, there is none.
-
fyi, there r evidence showing reincarnation do exist, pls read more books n get ur facts right before making a fool of urself.
-
References please.Originally posted by 798:fyi, there r evidence showing reincarnation do exist, pls read more books n get ur facts right before making a fool of urself.
You can always find a book somewhere that supports any claim. There are whole books written on flat earth theory. There are people who believe that moon landings were a hoax and they have written books and produced documentaries on that as well.
While there may be evidence supporting the possiblity of reincarnation, I know of no study that proves it conclusively. If there were, it would have major implications on every area of science. -
too lazy to find. if u have time, u should read AEN's quoto of the 3 links. indeed of being too stubborn head n continue to be ignorance.Originally posted by Phaze:References please.
You can always find a book somewhere that supports any claim. There are whole books written on flat earth theory. There are people who believe that moon landings were a hoax and they have written books and produced documentaries on that as well.
While there may be evidence supporting the possiblity of reincarnation, I know of no study that proves it conclusively. If there were, it would have major implications on every area of science.
keep in mind dat energy cannot be create or destroy, they will transfer into another form. -
When there is proof and evidences you can't call it that way.Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:I would call that pseudo science indoctrination.
Don't criticise before you know the subject. -
Is it necessary to resort to ad hominem attacks?Originally posted by ExtraVehicular:What evidence do you have to prove that you are a intelligent being, january? As far as I have seen, there is none.
I would refrain from questioning the intelligence of others unless you are willing to put your own under the same scrutiny.
I would argue that the ability to question is in itself evidence of intelligence.
In any case, it's besides the point. Whether or not January is able to prove that he is an intelligent being to your standards has no relation as to whether reincarnation actually occurs. -
Amazing. You accuse me of being stubborn headed and wanting to remain ignorant?Originally posted by 798:too lazy to find. if u have time, u should read AEN's quoto of the 3 links. indeed of being too stubborn head n continue to be ignorance.
keep in mind dat energy cannot be create or destroy, they will transfer into another form.
This is an argument from the kindergarten playground. "Nyah nyah I'm right and if you don't believe me you're stupid."
Faith healers, psychics and all kinds of kooks use this argument.
Sure. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. So what? That has nothing to do with consiousness. Are you saying that a human being is the same as an atom and energy? You believe that consiousness can exist without a physical host?
I skimmed through the 3 links earlier and while they were interesting, I did not find the arguments compelling. Research into past lives is interesting, though there have been criticisms as to possible flaws in the studies. I've already mentioned that I'm not dismissing the possibility of reincarnation offhand. I just felt that the probability was low and more research is needed. I refrained from commenting because I feel I do not have the necessary expertise. Having said that, I will attempt a rebuttal. I hope you will not be "stubborn head" and consider the points fairly. -
Hmm... maybe you may want to take a look at this: A QUANTUM MECHANICAL MODEL OF THE BRAIN AND CONSCIOUSNESSOriginally posted by Phaze:You are correct. I did not look up the references. As I mentioned, this has not been a particular focus of mine.
I'm not exactly sure what you have issue with? I said that there appears to be evidence that supports reincarnation. However, no one has produced a scientific, testable hypothesis for a mechanism of reincarnation. Are you saying that the statement is wrong? And that had I done a literature review, I would have found a peer reviewed paper that at least suggested such a mechanism?
Though there (probably) isn't a verified testable hypothesis (I might be wrong because I myself haven't done much research on the scientific views of rebirth), modern understanding of the nature of consciousness does not have problems with rebirth. -
In the past, the understanding that brain = consciousness would have been valid. In modern times, this understanding no longer stands.Originally posted by Phaze:Sure. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. So what? That has nothing to do with consiousness. Are you saying that a human being is the same as an atom and energy? You believe that consiousness can exist without a physical host? -
Thank you for the link. I will read it over lunch. Food for the mind as well as the body.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Hmm... maybe you may want to take a look at this: A QUANTUM MECHANICAL MODEL OF THE BRAIN AND CONSCIOUSNESS
Though there (probably) isn't a verified testable hypothesis (I might be wrong because I myself haven't done much research on the scientific views of rebirth), modern understanding of the nature of consciousness does not have problems with rebirth.