The Production of Renewed Existence (Second Discourse)

‘Venerable Sir, it is said: ‘existence, existence.’ In what way, Venerable Sir, is there existence?’

If, Ānanda, there were no Kamma ripening in the sensory realm, would sense-sphere existence be discerned?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

Thus, Ānanda, for beings hindered by ignorance (unknowing of true reality) and fettered by craving, Kamma is the field, consciousness the seed, and craving the moisture for their intention and desire to be established in an inferior realm. In this way there is the production of renewed existence in the future.

If, Ānanda, there were no Kamma ripening in the form realm, would form-sphere existence be discerned?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

Thus, Ānanda, for beings hindered by ignorance (unknowing of true reality) and fettered by craving, Kamma is the field, consciousness the seed, and craving the moisture for their intention and desire to be established in a middling realm. In this way there is the production of renewed existence in the future.

If, Ānanda, there were no Kamma ripening in the formless realm, would formless-sphere existence be discerned?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

Thus, Ānanda, for beings hindered by ignorance (unknowing of true reality) and fettered by craving, Kamma is the field, consciousness the seed, and craving the moisture for their intention and desire to be established in a superior realm. In this way there is the production of renewed existence in the future.

It is in this way, Ānanda, that there is existence.

(Reference: AN 3.77)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares guidance very similar to Chapter 2 but rather than mentioning one’s consciousness becomes established in a new existence, he shares that “intention and desire” of the old being will be established in the mind of the new being in the new life within the new existence.

The “intention and desire” The Buddha mentions in this Teaching that are established in the new consciousness (i.e. mind) is the craving/desire/attachment of the old being transferring to the new being’s mind.

The new being, regardless of their previous life, will have craving, anger, and ignorance (unknowing of true reality) with all of The Ten Fetters. If the previous being learned and practiced these Teachings in that life, the new being will find it easier to learn and practice these Teachings in their new life to make progress on The Path to Enlightenment.

What is reincarnation and rebirth? Are they the same thing?

Reincarnation and rebirth are different. They are not the same.

Reincarnation: the reemerging of a soul in a new body.

Reincarnation typically relates to a new existence from a soul, spirit, or entity of a previously existed being. The new existence is seen as being the same as the previous being just in a new body. Reincarnation requires a permanent soul or entity that emerges repeatedly in new existences. Gotama Buddha did not share this as part of his Teachings.

The concept of reincarnation conflicts with Gotama Buddha’s Teachings on The Universal Truth of Impermanence and The Universal Truth of Non-self, thus, was not taught by Gotama Buddha. In Gotama Buddha’s 45-years of teaching, his Teachings never contained any contradictions.

Reincarnation is dependent on a permanent soul or spirit transcending multiple existences. Gotama Buddha left The Teaching concerning a soul as “undeclared” having never taught the concept of a permanent soul or a permanent self that transcends multiple existences.

The concept of reincarnation conflicts with three specific aspects of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings. Reincarnation conflicts with 1.) The Universal Truth of Impermanence, 2.) The Universal Truth of Non-self, and 3.) Gotama Buddha left The Teachings on the soul as an “undeclared” Teaching, thus, Gotama Buddha never taught reincarnation.

Rebirth: a new being that has come into existence through The Cycle of Rebirth based on a previous being’s craving and Kamma.

Gotama Buddha taught rebirth through The Cycle of Rebirth.

Rebirth is a new existence of a new being that has been reborn based on a previous being’s craving. Craving is the fuel that causes rebirth. If there is craving at the time of death, there will be rebirth into a new existence. If Enlightenment has been attained (i.e. all craving, anger, and ignorance are fully extinguished), there will be no rebirth.

The new being may or may not have residual memories of previous existences in its new consciousness that may be recalled over time during the new being’s life. Rebirth is not based on a permanent soul or spirit of any kind but instead is caused by the craving of the previous being which produces a new birth into a new existence.

Each new birth is a new existence or new life. In reality, this should be shared and discussed as The Cycle of New Existence because there is nothing that is actually being reborn.

Kamma of the previous being will determine the destination and life situation of the new being. Kamma of the previous being determines in which realm the new being will be reborn, Hell, Animal, Afflicted Spirits, Human, or the Heavenly realm. Kamma from the previous being also determines the quality of life of the new being. For example, the family and life situation (poverty vs. wealth) one is born into, the appearance of the new being, and the condition of the new being’s body and mind are all determined based on the Kamma of the previous being.

If the previous being generated significant amounts of wholesome Kamma to be reborn into the human realm, the new being is reborn into a favorable destination within a wealthy family, beautiful appearance, and/or with a healthy body and mind.

If the previous being generated significant amounts of unwholesome Kamma, the new being is reborn into an unfavorable destination of the lower realms (Hell, Animal, or Afflicted Spirits Realm) or if reborn into the human realm, the being will be reborn into difficult circumstances in the new existence based on the previous being’s Kamma.

Difficult circumstances that result from the previous being’s Kamma would include in what realm the new being is reborn, what part of the world, the type of family, the amount of wealth, ability to acquire necessities to sustain life, appearance, and the health of the body and the mind.

Craving determines if there is rebirth while Kamma determines in what realm, what situation, and the condition of the new being upon rebirth.

Each new existence is a completely new being with a new mind and a new body - if in a form realm. If the next existence is in a formless realm, there would be no physical body just a consciousness (i.e. mind).

Craving and residual memories can be transferred from one being to the next, but the new being is a completely new being.

You can think of the two beings, old and new, as having individual and unique cardboard boxes. Those cardboard boxes represent the mind as a container. The craving and residual memories of the old being are transferred into the mind of the new being. But the new being is a completely new being with a new mind and a new body.

There is nothing else that moves from one existence to another other than craving and residual memories. It is like transferring items from one cardboard box to another.

The cardboard boxes are unique and completely different but the contents in the old box are now the contents in the new box - craving and residual memories.