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Rebirth in Buddhism refers to the teaching that the actions of a sentient being lead to a new existence after death, in an endless cycle called saṃsāra. [1] [2] This cycle is considered to be dukkha, unsatisfactory and painful. The cycle stops only if Nirvana (liberation) is achieved by insight and the extinguishing of craving.
Human realm : [46] [47] Buddhism asserts that one is reborn in this realm with vastly different physical endowments and moral natures because of a being's past karma. [citation needed] A rebirth in this realm is considered as fortunate because it offers an opportunity to attain nirvana and end the Saṃsāra cycle. [46] [53]
Besides being born as a human, the favorable conditions for obtaining enlightenment are: Being born a human at a time when a Buddha has arisen, has taught the Dharma, and has left a Saṅgha that carries on the teachings; at such times there is a chance to learn the Dharma. Being born a human in countries where the Dharma is known.
Karma drives this permanent saṃsāra in Buddhist thought, states Paul Williams, and "short of attaining enlightenment, in each rebirth one is born and dies, to be reborn elsewhere in accordance with the completely impersonal causal nature of one's own karma; This endless cycle of birth, rebirth, and redeath is saṃsāra". [114]
While it might be tempting to aspire a rebirth within the world of gods or celestial beings, the deva are so full of joy in this realm that are unable to understand the teaching about the permanent dukkha in samsara. [5] Furthermore, even a deva having consumed all the good karma within the pleasurable existence in this realm, can be reborn in ...
The Buddha, represented by the Bodhi tree, attended by animals, Sanchi vihara. The position and treatment of animals in Buddhism is important for the light it sheds on Buddhists' perception of their own relation to the natural world, on Buddhist humanitarian concerns in general, and on the relationship between Buddhist theory and Buddhist practice.
The term nirvana is part of an extensive metaphorical structure that was probably established at a very early age in Buddhism. It is "the most common term used by Buddhists to describe a state of freedom from suffering and rebirth," [13] but its etymology may not be conclusive for its meaning. [14]
The text also discusses the associated doctrine of buddha-nature (tathāgatagarbha) which is said to be a "hidden treasury" within all living beings that is eternal (nitya), blissful, Self , and pure (shudda). [5] Due to this buddha nature, all beings have the capacity to reach Buddhahood. [5]