Posted in Buddhism, Teachers

ONE VIEW OF KARMA AND REBIRTH

Posted on by The Bardo Group Beguines

STEPHEN BATCHELOR (b. 1953), Buddhist teacher, author, scholar

Author of Buddhism Without Beliefs

Stephen Batchelor is a contemporary Buddhist teacher and writer, best known for his secular or agnostic approach to Buddhism.  Stephen considers Buddhism to be a constantly evolving culture of awakening rather than a religious system based on immutable dogmas and beliefs.  In particular, he regards the doctrines of karma and rebirth to be features of ancient Indian civilisation and not intrinsic to what the Buddha taught.  Buddhism has survived for the past 2,500 years because of its capacity to reinvent itself in accord with the needs of the different Asian societies with which it has creatively interacted throughout its history.  As Buddhism encounters modernity, it enters a vital new phase of its development.  Through his writings, translations and teaching, Stephen engages in a critical exploration of Buddhism’s role in the modern world, which has earned him both condemnation as a heretic and praise as a reformer. MORE [About Stephen Batchelor from his website]

In this video, Stephen Batchelor presents his view of Karma and Rebirth and the reasoning that supports his perspective.

Video posted to YouTube by .

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5 thoughts on “ONE VIEW OF KARMA AND REBIRTH”

  1. a lot of preachings of buddha were based on hindu religious scriptures like veda and upanishadas. i have read it in history books. he gave them a kinder, humane form and added more beauty.

    i have read a little bit of buddha’s preachings and a little bit of hindu scriptures they do resemble quite a lot.

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    1. Yes they do, Trisha, and I do believe that they both have lasted through time because they flex, adapt, and adopt. I think Buddha was a fine reformer as you say.

      Thanks for your visits here. See you at your “place” soon!

      Virtual hugs,
      Jamie

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  2. I would consider my studies of Buddhism to be very limited. And really I don’t have much interest in getting mired down in the intellectual network of different beliefs, traditions and sub-categories but I do appreciate the idea of evolution of the teachings. I also love the idea of people being able to choose their own way of following their own interpretations of “information” out there in the world.

    Thank you for sharing this, Jamie.

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  3. I too would consider karma to be of Hindu roots. It is timely we should reconsider the fundamental aspects of all religions for after 2012 we enter a new age and different perspective on our existence.

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Kindly phrased comments welcome here.

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