Expert: Justin Choo - 8/23/2010

Question
Hello Justin, im Patricia and i have red about Buddhism, is an admirable philosophy, but i have a question that i cannot find answered anywhere. Buddhism says we are all the same energy, we die and we reincarnate, is there some special relation between the members of a family? i know Buddhism says we r all d same, and personality is an ilusion, but i really would like a clarification in this. For example, if i die, is there any chance that i would be near a "member of my ex past life family" again? I would really appreciate your answer

Answer
Hi Patricia,

Let me explain the concept of rebirth, and I think after that you would be able to reason out and answer your own question.  Failing which please come back for clarification.  

There is a difference between "rebirth" and "reincarnation". The Buddha actually talked about rebirth. Rebirth is a continuation of life-flow but not of the exact entity or "soul". Reincarnation is the rebirth of the same person, Mr X. "Rebirth" is the rebirth of the etheral energy which is constantly changing, but has its continuity, just like the flowing river, or the electric current.

A person is comprised of matter (physical body) and mind. We know that this physical body will perish one day. It is not a permanent entity. The mind is also not a permanent unchanging entity. The mind is always in a state of flux. There are thought moments continuously going on in the mind. This is the consciousness or etheral energy or life-force that gives the mind its substance. The energy of the mind is just like the electric current flowing continuously, but no two moments are the same.

This "etheral energy" gives live to form (physical body). Without this energy the form is dead. However when this physical form is worn out and fails to function, the etheral energy takes on another form to start a new cycle. This process is called rebirth.


"Rebirth" is a process, an on-going process, just like the electric current lighting up a bulb.  The "bulb" is like the physical body.  When this bulb is blown, the current is still there and when a new bulb is fixed on, it lights up again.  So you can see that there is a continuity in the electric current, but the current flowing through is not the same at any one moment.  Our existence is in this state of flux.  When the body is dead, the life energy seeks another form to "reborn".  The type of rebirth will depend on the nature of this store-house of life energy.  If this store-house of energy has more wholesome characteristics, it will seek rebirth in a more conducive environment.  On the other hand, if it has more negative characteristics, then its rebirth will be in a more unwholesome environment.  As the life force is always in a flux, there is no permanent and unchanging soul, but a changing personality that exists throughout.  To describe this process of rebirth, the Buddha used the term "Not exactly the same, yet not totally different".  Another example will be a lighted candle.  It is not the same light that we see, but not totally different.

<< For example, if i die, is there any chance that i would be near a "member of my ex past life family" again?>>
So you see, it's possible, depending on where you and your family are heading.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Justin Choo