Expert: Justin Choo - 1/8/2010

Question
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 (supposably) 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.

Phra Anandapanyo (an expert in Buddhism on this site) told me that Buddha said that this is the only planet in the whole universe that holds physical life. So I was shocked when i heard that.

I know that such a question is useless, that it does not help me in any way and so on.. But, if Buddha really said this than I think it was wrong. All the scientists on this earth are confident and 100% sure that there's life in this Universe and even other civilizations.

Therefore I don't think Buddha said this.

Thank you for your answer!

Answer
Hi Liviu,

First I would not like to comment on other experts' answers.  I am more concerned that I provide answers to the best of my knowledge.

The Buddha had commented that the universe was very large, and there were "thousands" of world systems, meaning countless.  At any moment in time, the cycle of formation, evolution, dissolution and destruction is ongoing in the vastness of space.  This is confirmed as you correctly said that scienists have reasons to believe that life exists in outer space.  Out there, there are billions of galaxies.  Just based on the theory of probability, it is most probable that life in many forms exists.  If you can find a needle on a beach,  what is the chance of you finding a needle in another beach somewhere in this world?  And the universe is billions of times bigger than this world!!  In fact the universe is limitless...infinity!!  That's why it is most appropriately called "outer space".  

The term "reincarnated" is subtly different from "rebirth".  Reincarnation takes the form of the same entity that is reborn, meaning "X" is reincarnated as the same "X" when "X" is reborn.  Rebirth is the more appropriate term in Buddhism, meaning that the "personality" or "the kammic storehouse in the form of consciousness" is being reborn.  It is not exact the same, nor completely different; so said the Buddha. It is a process of the life continuum.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Justin Choo