Reincarnation

Reincarnation is the theory that postulates that, after the death of the body, the consciousness that was animating a person returns to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, also in the form of an animal or plant. This doctrine is a central tenet within the majority of Indian religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism (although the latter prefer to use the word re-birth).

In the West, the idea was also fundamental to some Greek philosophers as well as other religions, such as Druidism and in some schools of Judaism and early Christianity.

H. P. Blavatsky defined it as follows:

Reincarnation, or Re-birth; the once universal doctrine, which taught that the Ego is born on this earth an innumerable number of times. Now-a-days it is denied by Christians, who seem to misunderstand the teachings of their own gospels. Nevertheless, the putting on of flesh periodically and throughout long cycles by the higher human Soul (Buddhi-Manas) or Ego is taught in the Bible as it is in all other ancient scriptures, and "resurrection" means only the rebirth of the Ego in another form.

Further reading

• Reincarnation at Theosopedia