Expert: Justin Choo - 2/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello... I have been looking into buddhism, and I found that almost all of it's
doctrines have some logical reason behind them, some sort of rationale.

What exactly is the rationale for re-birth or reincarnation? What exactly is the
logical reasoning that made the Buddha come to this conclusion? Or is this something that one must take on faith?

ANSWER: Hi Howard,

Welcome to the path of contentment and inner peace.  Buddhism is about universal truths which transcend nationality, time and space.

The Buddha taught universal truths and inner peace.  His realization was not based on belief nor on intellectual analyses.  His findings were the results of his mental cultivation throughout eons of countless existences.  His mental cultivation culminated with his enlightenment embodied with a perfectly pure and powerful mind.  He attained the power of supra mundane insight, which meant he was able to penetrate into the supra mundane dimensions which no other humans could.  His knowledge was not through his intellectual ability nor through his external senses.  His discoveries of the truth of existence and the universe were through the supreme power of his mind. He had attained an omniscient mind, the ability to know whatever needs to be known.  That is why we call the Buddha, the "Fully Enlightened One".

The Buddha's doctrines are not to be believed through faith.  He encouraged his followers to think and analyse his teachings.   

As for rebirth, you need to study the Buddha's explanation.  It was not based on logic but was through his omniscience.

By the way "rebirth" and "reincarnation" have subtle differences.  "Rebirth" takes the notion of a changing "personality".  "Reincarnation" is a Tibetan concept, assuming a transmigration of the same personality.

Hope this helps.

Justin Choo

[I like to invite you to visit my blog:]
http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/

[And these sites by Rev. Dhammika:]
http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/
http://www.buddhismatoz.com/


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for that, I will look into it...

However, I have one more question. I have begun to meditate, and, upon
doing so, have found some trouble getting comfortable ^_^. I can easily sit
cross-legged, but I cannot seem to be able to get into the lotus position, and
can barely squeeze myself into the half-lotus position. Are either of these
necessary?

Also, after a while (about 5 minutes) I begin to get pains in my back, about by
the shoulder blades, like a tingling pain. I believe it may be due to a lack of
blood flow or something, but do you know any ways in which to overcome
this problem? Am I in the wrong position, or should I sit more upright?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Howard,

Caucasians are generally not used to sitting cross legged.  So it will take some time to get used to it.  All your "problems" are part and parcel of Buddhist meditation practice.  Just note them and "persevere' but not "fight" them.  When you can't really bear the pain and ache, mindfully adjust your position to make yourself less uncomfortable.  Never go to extreme.  Take your time.  If you can't sit cross-legged, then sit in a position that you feel comfortable.  Then later you can try again, at least the half lotus.  Many cannot sit full lotus, including me.

Keep on practising.

Please come back if you need more information.