Reincarnation facts for kids
Reincarnation is a belief that people are born again in a new body after they die. This idea suggests that a person's life continues through many different bodies over a long time. Some people prefer the term "rebirth" or "transmigration." This is often used by those who don't believe in an eternal soul.
Many religions and cultures believe in reincarnation or rebirth. These include Hindus, Jainists, Buddhists, Celtic pagans, and some African religions. The word "carnate" means "of flesh." So, "reincarnate" means to "re-enter the flesh."
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What is Reincarnation?
The idea of reincarnation is found in many religions around the world. However, it is not a main belief in Islam or Christianity. Still, some Christians, especially in Western countries, do believe in it.
Experts who study different cultures have found this belief in many traditional religions. These include groups in Africa, North and South America, and Australia/Oceania. Even with Christian missionaries, many tribes in northwest North America still believe in reincarnation.
Reincarnation in Hinduism
Hindus believe in reincarnation. This is a process where the soul repeatedly takes on a physical body by being born on Earth. Ancient Hindu texts, dating back to around 700 BC, teach that the soul (or immortal "self") is born again and again.
The soul continues its long journey until it becomes one with God. Hindus believe the soul never truly dies. Instead, it moves from one body to another. This journey is guided by something called Karma.
What is Karma?
Karma means "action." It is the sum of all the actions a person takes in their life. Karma is a powerful force that decides what a person's next reincarnation will be like.
The soul grows from being new to reaching spiritual illumination (understanding). Because of this, each soul chooses a home and family that can best help it learn and grow. Each life on Earth is like a class in school. The soul grows by experiencing its desires, which can only happen through a body.
The Soul's Journey
When a person dies, their soul leaves the physical body. But the soul does not die. It lives on in a subtle body, which is called the astral body. This astral body exists in a nonphysical dimension called the astral plane. Here, the soul continues to have experiences. Then, it is born again in another physical body as a baby.
After many lifetimes of following dharma (the right way of living), the soul becomes fully grown. It gains full love, wisdom, and knowledge of God. At this point, there is no longer a need for physical birth. All lessons have been learned, and all karmas have been fulfilled. When all desires are gone, the person will not be born again.
Research on Reincarnation
A researcher named Ian Stevenson studied cases that support the idea of reincarnation. He found that the strongest evidence comes from young children. These children, usually between 2 and 5 years old, talk about a previous life they claim to have had.
About 35 percent of these children also have birthmarks or birth defects. These often match injuries or illnesses that the deceased person (who the child remembers) had. Medical records have confirmed these matches in more than forty cases.
Related pages
Images for kids
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A second-century Roman sarcophagus shows the mythology and symbolism of the Orphic and Dionysiac Mystery schools. Orpheus plays his lyre to the left.
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American psychologist and philosopher William James (1842–1910) was an early psychical researcher.
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A 12th-century Japanese painting showing one of the six Buddhist realms of reincarnation (rokudō, 六道)
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Hindus believe the self or soul (atman) repeatedly takes on a physical body, until moksha.
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Tomb of Allan Kardec, founder of spiritism. The inscription says in French "To be born, die, again be reborn, and so progress unceasingly, such is the law".
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The 14th Dalai Lama has stated his belief that it would be difficult for science to disprove reincarnation.
See also
In Spanish: Reencarnación para niños
