Reincarnation Question

[The Hammer]

I know that in some sects of Hinduism, there is an ultimate goal of breaking the cycle of rebirths and merging with Brahman.

Does Buddhism have a similar philosophy of being able to halt the rebirth process through Enlightenment?

 

[Martin]

I know that in some sects of Hinduism, there is an ultimate goal of breaking the cycle of rebirths and merging with Brahman.

Does Buddhism have a similar philosophy of being able to halt the rebirth process through Enlightenment?

The Buddhist suttas describe beings reappearing in different realms, according to their actions, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth is possible.
However, it's not clear to me how rebirth works in the absence of a soul.

 

[George-ananda]

I know that in some sects of Hinduism, there is an ultimate goal of breaking the cycle of rebirths and merging with Brahman.

Does Buddhism have a similar philosophy of being able to halt the rebirth process through Enlightenment?

Yes, and it's called attaining Nirvana.

 

[The Hammer]

Yes, and it's called attaining Nirvana.

I didn't realize Nirvana was the stopping of the rebirth cycle, thank you.

And some sects believe they can become/or be remembered as Devas at this point correct?

 

[George-ananda]

I didn't realize Nirvana was the stopping of the rebirth cycle, thank you.

And some sects believe they can become/or be remembered as Devas at this point correct?

I’m more thinking devas are beings that willfully retain some sense of individuality to allow for the assistance of other sentient beings on the path.

 

[Martin]

Yes, and it's called attaining Nirvana.

Though Nibbana is also a living attainment in the suttas.

 

[Martin]

I didn't realize Nirvana was the stopping of the rebirth cycle, thank you.

And some sects believe they can become/or be remembered as Devas at this point correct?

There is a deva realm in the suttas, but I haven't heard of it being equivalent to Nibbana.

 

[JonSL]

Yes. Buddha was from India. He never said that his teaching was in any opposition to Hindu theology.

Buddha said that he remembered past lives.

So, he would have affirmed the Hindu teaching about reincarnation...that, over the course of many lives, people grow spiritually, until they become very very great souls who become fully identified with divinity.

The Buddha also said that such a level of spirituality was clear out of reach of almost everyone and people should just focus on simply being moral.

But why do that, when there is so much fun demon stuff to do to other people?