Which Religions Believe in Reincarnation?
Quick Answer
Religions that adopt reincarnation as part of their mainstream teachings include Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. However, there are sects of other religions that incorporate reincarnation on a smaller level, such as Kabbalah and Druze.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
Religions that believe in reincarnation include:
- Hinduism
- Jainism
- Buddhism
- Sikhism
In Hinduism, the jiva is the soul and it lives through multiple lives. Although it is pure by default, people can alter this through the way they behave in each life. Karma affects the experience someone's jiva has in their next life.
Jainism has a similar take to Hinduism on reincarnation. If someone behaves well, they attract good karma and have a happy experience during their next life. In contrast, someone who leads a bad life is said to have a desire to experience cruelty in the next one.
Buddhism does not believe that people have a new form of consciousness with each life. Instead, it sees moving between lives as a continuum of one existence to the next. Unlike other mainstream religions, it does not see the reincarnation as a new person.
Sikhism believes that the soul passes into new bodies when a person dies. This is a process that continues until Liberation.
Many of the Abrahamic religions do not promote reincarnation. However, there are sects that believe it exists. For example, some Islamic sects believe that souls undergo reincarnation until they have absolved all their past sins.
Learn more about ReligionRelated Questions
-
Q:
What Are the Five Major World Religions?
A: The five major world religions are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism. More than 70 percent of the world's population identify with one of... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Is Radha Soami Satsang Beas?
A: Radha Soami Satsang Beas is a philosophical organization that derives its teachings from all religions in the world. Rather than believing in one God or a ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Do Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism Have in Common?
A: China's three most ancient religions - Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism- all share an emphasis on ethical codes of conduct as a means of harmonizing their... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Where Can You Find Information About the History of Religion?
A: The online Ancient History Encyclopedia includes an article about religion in the ancient world, which begins by discussing Hinduism and the ancient Egypti... Full Answer >Filed Under:
