What is the true cause of rebirth?

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
Santi253
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Re: What is the true cause of rebirth?

Post by Santi253 »

I can't say this for certain, but I imagine that there are folk beliefs and practices in traditionally Theravada countries for having a favorable rebirth that the Buddha didn't necessarily teach. I didn't mean to single out Mahayana as to having these kinds of beliefs.
Non-violence is the greatest virtue, cowardice the greatest vice. - Mahatma Gandhi

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Santi253
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Joined: Thu May 11, 2017 4:37 am
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Re: What is the true cause of rebirth?

Post by Santi253 »

Mahayana Buddhism traditionally teaches that compassionate action and ethical conduct will lead to a favorable rebirth, allowing us to continue the path to Buddhahood.

This is from the Dalai Lama’s commentary on Shantideva’s The Bodhisattva Way of Life:
In his Four Hundred Verses on the Middle Way (Chatuhshatakashastra), Aryadeva presents a specific procedure for proceeding on the path to enlightenment. This suggests that it is important to pursue the path in a systematic order, beginning by refraining from negative actions and maintaining an ethically sound way of life. This is to ensure the attainment of a favorable rebirth so that we will be able to continue to pursue our spiritual path in the future. Aryadeva states that the first phase of the path is to avert the effects of negative and troublesome states of mind as they manifest in our behavior, because this safeguards us against taking unfavorable rebirth in the next life.
http://www.wisdompubs.org/blog/201410/d ... rigination
Aryadeva was a disciple of Nagarjuna who wrote on the path to Buddhahood:
Catuhsataka-shastra-nama-karika (the Four Hundred Verses) was translated into English by Karen Lang as Aryadeva’s Catuhsataka: On the Bodhisattva’s Cultivation of Merit and Knowledge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aryadeva# ... o_Aryadeva
If one has taken the Bodhisattva vow to attain Buddhahood for the sake of leading all other beings to Buddhahood, it’s practicing the Six Paramitas here and now which ensures that our next rebirth will allow us to continue on that path:
Dāna pāramitā: generosity, the attitude of giving
Śīla pāramitā : virtue, morality, discipline, proper conduct
Kṣānti (kshanti) pāramitā : patience, tolerance, forbearance, acceptance, endurance
Vīrya pāramitā : energy, diligence, vigor, effort
Dhyāna pāramitā : one-pointed concentration, contemplation
Prajñā pāramitā : wisdom, insight
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_ ... _paramitas
As it says in the Agamas, “All Buddhas and World Honored Ones emerge from the human realm; they do not attain Buddhahood somewhere above the heavens.”

If any Mahayana Buddhist tells you that they can have a favorable rebirth, let alone attain Buddhahood, without practicing compassionate action and ethical conduct, that Mahayana Buddhist would not be telling you what Mahayana Buddhism traditionally teaches.

This is from Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva:
May those who break their discipline repent,
And always may they strive to cleanse away their faults.
And thus they acquire a fortunate rebirth,
Wherein to practice stainless discipline.
https://books.google.com/books?id=Xfkvt ... navlinks_s
Non-violence is the greatest virtue, cowardice the greatest vice. - Mahatma Gandhi

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Santi253
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Joined: Thu May 11, 2017 4:37 am
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Re: What is the true cause of rebirth?

Post by Santi253 »

Western converts to Buddhism often don’t want to hear this, but there is a hell according to traditional Buddhist teachings, and we are all potentially headed there, if our actions violate the Buddha’s teachings.

While hell in Buddhism is only temporary, its duration can last for eons, depending on the negative karma we’ve accumulated. As Buddhists, we need to be mindful of the karmic consequences in this life and the life to come.
Non-violence is the greatest virtue, cowardice the greatest vice. - Mahatma Gandhi

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