How did Buddha explain rebirth?

Rebirth in Buddhism refers to the teaching that the actions of a person lead to a new existence after death, in an endless cycle called saṃsāra. This cycle is considered to be dukkha, unsatisfactory and painful. Rebirth is one of the foundational doctrines of Buddhism, along with karma, Nirvana and moksha.

What was karma according to Buddha?

In the Buddhist tradition, karma refers to action driven by intention (cetanā) which leads to future consequences. Those intentions are considered to be the determining factor in the kind of rebirth in samsara, the cycle of rebirth.

What did the Buddha say about the cycle of rebirths?

The Buddha introduced the concept that there is no soul (self) tying the cycle of rebirths, in contrast to themes asserted by various Hindu and Jaina traditions, and this central concept in Buddhism is called anattā; Buddha also affirmed the idea that all compounded things are subject to dissolution at death or anicca.

Who is reborn according to Buddhism?

Very basically, when the effects of karma continue across lifetimes it causes rebirth. But in light of the doctrine of no-self, who exactly is reborn? The classical Hindu understanding of reincarnation is that a soul, or atman, is reborn many times. But the Buddha taught the doctrine of anatman — no soul, or no-self.

Does Buddhism believe in reincarnation?

Parallel to the concept of reincarnation in other Eastern religions, it is the concept of rebirth that is fundamental in Buddhism. However, unlike in reincarnation, rebirth does not involve the transmigration of an eternal soul from one life to another.

What is the relationship between karma and rebirth?

This causal connection is karma, which conditions a new birth. The newly born person is neither the same person nor a different person from one who died. In Theravada Buddhism, it is taught that three factors are necessary for rebirth: the mother’s egg, the father’s sperm, and the energy of karma ( kamma-vega in Pali).