This talk is about the concept of reincarnation and how it has been researched and supported by evidence, such as the work of Professor Ian Stevenson on 20 cases suggestive of rebirth. Ajahn Brahm also shares a personal encounter with one of these cases and emphasizes that people do not gain anything by sharing their past life memories, but rather, they often face criticism and teasing. The idea of reincarnation has been around for centuries and is found in many cultures and beliefs, including Buddhism, ancient Greece, and early Christianity. Some people struggle to accept it because they find it hard to believe that there are more people alive now than ever before. However, this can be explained by the fact that not only humans are reincarnated, but also animals and other beings. The idea of speciesism, where humans think they are superior to other animals, can also be challenged. Basically, the theory of rebirth in Buddhism states that when a person dies, their desires and cravings continue to drive them forward into another life. This can be seen in the evolution of life and also in the example of a mango seed growing into a tree and producing a new mango. When a person dies, the chain of cause and effect continues, with certain qualities and tendencies carrying over into the new life. This idea is supported by the experiences of people who have had near-death experiences.

This dhamma talk was originally recorded in 9th January 2009. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.