reincarnation

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reincarnation

reincarnation [Lat.,=taking on flesh again], occupation by the soul of a new body after the death of the former body. Beliefs vary as to whether the soul assumes the new body immediately or only after an interval of disembodiment. Although some religions teach that it may inhabit a higher or lower form of life, most believe that the soul is consistently reincarnated in the same species. See transmigration of souls .

Bibliography: See J. Head and S. L. Cranston, ed., Reincarnation: An East-West Anthology (1961) and Reincarnation in World Thought (1967).

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reincarnation

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Â© World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

reincarnation Passage of the soul through successive bodies, causing the rebirth of an individual and the prolonging of his or her existence on Earth. In Hinduism and Buddhism, an individual's karma (earthly conduct) determines the condition into which one is born in the next life.

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