I know I don't really post here anymore, but I posted to this thread when it came out and reincarnation is extremely interesting to me as I have come to a lot of realizations that Venu has actually mentioned here, like reincarnation in Judaism among other religions. While I did look over the additional pages added to this thread it was a lot to read and so I'm sorry if this isn't actually that on topic (Er, I guess the topic itself stopped being a reincarnation thread so much as a Hinduism thread, so I'm getting it back on topic?)
For the past 3 years, I have deeply immersed myself in studying various schools of Hinduism (along with a couple Buddhist schools) because when I became Baha'i, and heard of this unity among religions, I wanted to see it for myself and began studying the world religions out of love and passion, studying them through a Baha'i lense. I'm aware that the authenticity of Hindu scriptures is 'uncertain' according to the Baha'i faith, and honestly, I do see why. I question a lot of things and am generally a skeptical person, and there are a few Hindu texts I would definitely say have suffered significant distortion. However, in these years of reading and taking stories to heart and even memorizing a lot of the stories that stuck with me (I personally love the story of Vamana), I experienced something profound. It was as though a torrent of truth flowed its way deep into my soul, and really made me think on my origins as a human, where humanity came from, how we changed over time. I have found so much truth in my studies of Hinduism that it has probably influenced my life more than any other religion, because there's nothing quite like it I find. I do think that other religious folk (sadly including some Baha'i's) like to completely discredit Hinduism because of some of those differences. I've even had a Baha'i in my own community question my years of Hindu studies, since in their perspective Hindu scriptures are uncertain so I should not waste my time with them. Honestly, there is so much truth you can find not just in one Hindu school but among so many. There is a unity because Hinduism comes from God just as the Baha'i faith did, even if for whatever reason people struggle to recognize that unity. I really think not just Baha'i's but the world at large would greatly benefit from embracing Hinduism instead of rejecting it. It's good to be skeptical, but open mindedness is also important. I'm skeptical and don't take things at face value, and so through embracing Hinduism with an open mind but also continuing to question it has led me down a most wonderful path where I've learned and grown like no other time in my life. Hinduism and the Baha'i Faith are one and the same, different steps of the same staircase. Different boards of wood knit into the same floor. I think that people really need to stop being so dismissive about Hinduism in general especially in the west. I really can't explain how often say Christian people in my city will bash Hinduism without a care when really without it, their church probably would be unrecognizably different because Hinduism is very much a cornerstone of ancient religions that has influenced much more than just India. Be you Baha'i, Muslim, Christian, etc, I urge everyone to try and embrace such a wonderful faith full of truth instead of reject it because of uncertainties.
I've posted before about reincarnation, actually earlier in this thread. With complete confidence I say I believe in reincarnation as a Baha'i. My studies of various schools (Primarily Vedanta and Samkhya, but also the schools of Saura, Shaktism and a form of Vaishnava called Vaikhanasa) have personally proved to me quite thoroughly that reincarnation is the truth and I have not a single doubt in my mind.
What surprises a lot of people, is that I also agree with Abdu'l-Baha's treatise against reincarnation. I don't think you will reincarnate as the same person with the same appearance, nor that you reincarnate as an animal of some sort (metaphors man), for example. Nor do I believe in material reincarnation (gaining material reward/punishment with heaven and hell being strictly in this world with no mention of an afterlife, as he opens Some Answered Questions 81 with) or that somehow the matter that makes up myself will be purified by repeatedly returning (" in that condition matter becomes a clear mirror, the light of the spirit will shine upon it with its full power, and essential perfection will be acquired. "). I also would argue that this belief against reincarnation is not binding, as Abdu'l-Baha was the unerring interpreter of Baha'u'llah's words, and Baha'u'llah did not speak on reincarnation, therefore this writing of Abdu'l-Baha is something that is fallible (though extremely informative and well thought out!). In the text I'm referring to he flat out pretty much says "Hey, this is just one side of it, people should bring pro-reincarnation proof to the table too, but you asked specifically about stuff against reincarnation so here's my points on that" with the lines "Proofs must be asked for from the believers in reincarnation, and not conjectures, suppositions and imaginations. But you have asked for arguments of the impossibility of reincarnation. This is what we must now explain." With this in mind I would argue that the case for reincarnation is much less open and shut than people tend to think. This, paired with my studies of Hinduism and Buddhism have led me to conclude that reincarnation is indeed true. While I don't have any quotes off hand to show the nature of reincarnation from a Hindu perspective, Venu might (Sorry if I'm putting you on the spot friend) as he seems to be quite the knowledgeable fellow with a deep understanding of things which I admire a lot.
This thread is starting to feel like it's pulling at the strings of unity. I urge you all to try and embrace each other with open hearts and minds and not resort to personal attacks. That is very irreligious and has no place here or anywhere. I love you all and I don't want to see my family fight.
