Expert: Anandapanyo Bhikkhu - 1/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: Where did it all start?
What is the beginning point of one's soul?
If there's no such a thing as a beginning then could it be said that until the present moment we have been reincarnated forever?

What did Buddha said about this subject?

Does human reincarnation takes place only on Earth, or on the other inhabitable planets also? (I believe so, because suffering is universal).

Thank you for your answer!

ANSWER: Dear Liviu,

Thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions.

"Where did it all start?"
"What is the beginning point of one's soul?"

These are questions that the Buddha advised we should not ask. The reason is that even if given an answer, we would not be able to verify. Therefore, it is a fruitless quest. The Buddha is the only one who is able to know these things. Knowing these things will only lead to us bragging and arguing with others about things that no one can know, no one can understand.

"If there's no such a thing as a beginning, then could it be said that until the present moment we have been reincarnated forever?"

I wouldn't exactly say forever, cause that implies no start, but I would say practically forever. It has been so long that it seems like forever. The period of time between Buddha's is at least 4xIncalculable periods and 100,000 eons. On top of that, we have probably passed over millions of Buddhas. Therefore, you can imagine how long it has been.

"What did Buddha said about this subject?"

Buddha says that we have been born and reborn so many times. Suprisingly, we are not sick of it, be are not bored of it. We have not experienced true happiness, we have never gotten exactly what we want, we have never satisfied our desires. Therefore, we keep coming back to this world over and over, with no end in sight.

The Buddha based his desire to leave this world on this. This is why he taught us his doctrine. So that we can finally learn to be bored in that which should seem boring, so that we can be fed up with that which should be fed up with.

"Does human reincarnation takes place only on Earth, or on the other inhabitable planets also? (I believe so, because suffering is universal)."

Human births only occur in our world. However, spiritual births can occur on other universes. However, our world is the only world that has form. All other worlds lack form. Therefore, you can see how hard it is to actually be born a human. You have to be born in this world and not the other worlds. You have to be born as a human, and not as an animal, fish, bird, or insect. Now that we are born a human, have we made the best of our opportunity? Because that is exactly what this is. Only human beings can free themselves from their suffering. That is the whole purpose of life. To free ourselves. Yet most if not practically all of us, spend our lives searching for things that can never truly be obtained: love, riches, fame, happiness....The only thing that can be obtained is freedom, yet most if not all people don't even look for it, or know to look for it.

I hope I have answered your questions.

Sincerely,

Phra Anandapanyo


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

QUESTION: Regarding the last question..."Does human reincarnation takes place only on Earth, or on the other inhabitable planets also?", I was thinking just this:
can we get reincarnated (as humans) on other planets in this physical Universe?
Because it's hard to believe that we can get reincarnated only on this planet when there are so many inhabitable planets in this visible Universe.
Of course, other civilisations in this Universe may not look like a human from Earth, but they can still be considered as belonging to the human plane of existence (and not animal) because they have the same inteligence as we have.

I hope this isn't a stupid question. I don't consider it like this.

If Buddha did not said anything about this, than what is your opinion?

Thank you once more!

Answer
Dear Liviu,

Why do you think that there are so many other inhabitable planets? There is no proof nor any evidence that shows that life can live on any other planet. In order to have physical existence, there needs to have so many factors. According to the Buddha, this is the only planet that has physical life.

However, this is one of those questions the Buddha taught we should not waste time wondering about or pondering. The reason is that we will never be able to find the answer no matter how much we try to contemplate it. Even if we did find the answer, it would do us no good.

As for my opinion, I would rather focus on things that can tangibly better my life than pondering things that cannot be proven.

Thank you for your questions,

Sincerely,

Phra Anandapanyo