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Expert: - 11/9/2007


Question
Hi, I just had a question that was recently posed to me and I couldn't really answer due to the fact that I am new to Buddhism and I live in an area with no teachers to pose such questions too. Anywho - here goes:
So when I die I'll be reborn  - but are there any 'guarantees' in my next life I will even be a Buddhist? Could I be reborn and be a Christian, etc.? Is that determined by your Karma? Or is it just a 'roll of the dice?'

Answer
Hi Russell,

Thank you for asking me.

As you know, the law of kamma can be described very simply as cause and effect.  However, it is impossible to quantify all our kamma.  How then can we know what effects will come our way in this life and beyond?  Based on this premise, it is not possible to predict accurately what our next life will be.  On a wider spectrum, it is safe to assume that if one were to associate very strongly with a certain lifestyle, then the next life should be closely associated with that lifestyle.  

This will be my personal interpretation.  You may get different answers from others. It is up to you to analyze them and pick your choice.  One thing for sure, it will not be "a roll of the dice".

Smile from justinchoo :-)  

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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