Expert: Joe McSorley - 3/26/2006

Question
Last time you wrote that only western religions give false hope by promising a place in heaven or stuff like that if we do good in this present life (in Sickening Lies), some sort of promise or rules that will apply after we die so that we will not have the chance to question. I see that eastern religions are also the same especially Buddhism. Buddhism talks about karma - that if we do good we will create good karma and vice versa. But when will this good karma apply? After we die? How will we know? Most of the time we can see bad people in their present life doing evil things to others and yet enjoy a great and satisfying life. Why not? They are rich and powerful. The poor and pitiful stays poor and pitiful. Where is karma? Of course you will say karma applies in our next life, that still mean after we die. And that sounds just like those western religions, another pack of sickening lies.

One more thing about reincarnation. I don't think I believe in reincarnation anymore. Everything is impermanent. You see, that person from "my" past life was not me. I am me. I am not from "my" past life. That person from "my" past life was long dead. In fact, I don't even have any past life. I only inherit that person's knowledge/wisdom. I was born, not reincarnated.

Last time I needed to wait almost 3 days for your answers so I assume I will need another almost 3 days for some answers for my tough questions.

Answer
Dear Chow,
  You make many assumptions in your letter about me and Buddhism.  I do not beleive in reincarnation and Zen does not push karma other than a simple cause and effect which exist in physics also.  I did not say other religions give false hope I only told you what they believe.  It is not what I beleive nor do I think it is plausible.
 So I am not defending reincarnation or any other 'belief' system, Buddhist or otherwise. I find all beliefs to be problematic, East and West.
 All Experts is volunteer which means we have to make our living working somewhere else.  It is out of the generosity of all those on the website that we answer people's questions for free here.  Some times it takes days to do so while we make our living elsewhere.  I am sure there are other services that can meet your demands in a timelier fashion should you so desire it.
 I have answered questions about reincarnation and karma exactly like yours many times on this website.  Perhaps you can look through the archives and see them.  This way you might find an answer immediately without waiting.
  Perhaps human life is full of sickening lies or perhaps it is just deluded and trying to find its way.  I think both situations exist.  Having been raised in a strict belief system I understand what it is like to feel you've be lied to and betrayed for years.  I don't think it is the intention of many good religious people to do these things; they sincerely believe what they teach.  It doesn't make them right and it doesn't make them purposefully deceitful.
You need to find your own way and I hope you do.
  take care,
           Joe