Expert: Joe McSorley - 12/11/2009

Question
Hi, I've asked you a few questions before, and I've touched on this topic though never directly so I would appreciate your opinion.  Buddism is founded on reason.  I can see how Karma works in this life, however, there is no evidence that there even is a next life, no one knows.  Therefore, what is your reason for beleiving in reincarnation, yet alone one that is effected by your actions in this life?  Thanks, Marc

Answer
Hello Marc,
 You are right, reason is one of the hallmarks of Buddhism in that you can come to the problem of human conscious through reason though you cannot come to the solution through reason.  If you have read my past answers on this topic you would have seen where I find the idea of reincarnation as unreasonable and unsustainable and therefore I do not believe in it.  It is the focus of my writings that it is inconsequential to talk about past or future lives when we do not know who it is that is living this life. The crux of the problem is to know who it is that thinks they reincarnate, it all resides here.
  Take care,
          Joe