Expert: Justin Choo - 10/29/2004

Question
Can you be reincarnated into an animal or a bug?

Answer
Hi DJ,
Thank you for asking me.

The Buddhist concept is called "rebirth".  "Reincarnation" assumes a sort of a permanent entity that takes birth from one life form to another, while still maintaining all its characteristics.  Buddhist concept of rebirth is quite different.  The Buddha revealed that a physical life form contains 2 main entities: the physical entity and the mind or consciousness.  This mind is a stream of consciousness.  It is a "stream" in perpetual flux, ever flowing.  Just like a stream; we see a stream as a permanent flow of water; but the stream we see now is actually not exactly the same as the one we saw a moment ago.  This is because the water that flows is not the same as that was before.  It is also like the electric current.  The current flows continuously, but the energy of the current is not the same at any point in time.  That was why the Buddha described the "rebirth process" as a process that is "not the same, yet not different".

As our stream of consciousness has no physical entity or mass, it can attach itself to any physical entity.  It can also exist without a physical entity!  It is just like the electric current; which can light up a small bulb, as well as operate hugh machines.  If the current of consciousness is weak because of deposits of evil defilements, it will seek to attach itself to miserable entity like an animal or a bug.  If the current is pure and powerful, it will seek rebirth in the pure and happy abode.

Hope I have answered your question.  Please come back if you have any more questions.

Smile from justinchoo :-)