Concept of Reincarnation

Navdeep88 · #1 (**permalink**) 15-Jan-2010, 08:37 AM

Can anyone give some insight into the concept of re-incarnation in sikhism... it would be helpful if there was also some excerpts from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/new-to-sikhism/28918-concept-of-reincarnation.html
Thanks.
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vsgrewal48895 · #2 (**permalink**) 15-Jan-2010, 10:05 AM

REINCARNATION-A REVIEW
ABSTRACT

The Doctrine of reincarnation teaches that the eternal Conscience of man lives many successive lives on earth occupying every time a human form and continually progressing toward perfection. It must be carefully distinguished from a certain teaching which often goes by the name of Metem-psychosis or Transmigration which holds that humans can incarnate in to animal or vegetable depending on the Karma. The truth of the matter is that there is no transparency in this Doctrine, which can force an individual to progress spiritually under its fear. Ravidas ponders metaphorically in Raag Dhanasari in his loneliness and love towards God;
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=28918

ਬਹੁਤ ਜਨਮ ਬਿਛੁਰੇ ਥੇ ਮਾਧਉ ਇਹੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰੇ ਲੇਖੇ ॥ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਆਸ ਲਗਿ ਜੀਵਉ ਚਿਰ ਭਇਓ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਖੇ ॥
Bahuṯ janam bicẖẖurė thė māḏẖa*o ih janam ṯumĥārė lėkẖė, Kahi Raviḏās ās lag jīva*o cẖir bẖa*i*o ḏarsan ḏėkẖė.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=28918

For so many incarnations, I have been separated from You, God; I dedicate this life to You. Says Ravidas: placing my hopes in You, I live; it is so long since I have gazed upon the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan.-----Ravidas, Raag Dhanasari, AGGS, Page, 694
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www.sikhphilosophy.net/spiritual.../24446-reincarnation-a-review.html -

Navdeep88 · #3 (**permalink**) 15-Jan-2010, 11:34 AM

Thank you for the reply.
Also, if there is anyone that can elaborate on re-incarnation...not necessarily in an academic sense...but more spiritual. Are there any other instances in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or in sikh history where it is mentioned? I know that Hemkunt Sahib is where Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent their previous life...are there other instances?

Narayanjot Kaur · #4 (**permalink**) 15-Jan-2010, 12:10 PM

navneep ji

Although there are many who believe that Dasam Pita lived in Hemkunt in a previous life, there are also many who believe that the source of this information, Bachittar Natak, was written to deliberately foist a Brahaminist identity on Sikhi at a time when Sikhs and the Sikh identity were extremely vulnerable politically, socially, economically.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=28918

If you accept the story of Hemkunt, then you would also accept the notion that Luv and Kush, twin sons born of the Hindu goddess Sita, began the lineage of Bedi and Sodhi. In other words Guru Nanak a Bedi descended from Luv and Guru Gobind Singh from Kush. Are you comfortable with that theory?

BhagatSingh · #5 (**permalink**) 15-Jan-2010, 12:27 PM

Not only must you accept the mythologies that entail that story but you must also accept that embryology as we know it is false, and the fact that one's brain develops from a single cell (which means it cannot have memory to begin with) is also false.

Narayanjot Kaur · #6 (**permalink**) 15-Jan-2010, 12:46 PM

Bhagat ji

I am not sure I understand the last part of your statement. But that's OK...when you have time perhaps you will clear it up for me. Thank you.

Navdeep88 · #7 (**permalink**) 15-Jan-2010, 12:46 PM

...actually, im not really sure...thats why i posted this in "new to sikhism", because I don't know much about the politics surrounding these issues. im just wondering about the concept of going through so many other lives to get to become human...
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=28918
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=28918
i just used hemkunt sahib as an example because I heard about it. im not at all familiar with the historical attempts to fabricate differnt identities...
Where does Sikhism stand on re-incarnation (of becoming human and the weight of deeds from previous lives etc., and the consequence of what you do with this one)? please include excerpts from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Thanks.

BhagatSingh · #8 (**permalink**) 15-Jan-2010, 13:11 PM

Narayanjot Kaur ji,

Quote:

wikipedia: memory is an organism's ability to store, retain, and recall information

In a nutshell, memory is the result of the complex networks that are formed (strengthened) by the neurons (brain cells) as a result of some stimulation. When the egg is fertilized in the mother, it's just one cell that hasn't even specialized yet. At this point no brain cells exist, and hence no networks for storing info. So what are you going to have memories of, when the cells that store, retain (and recall) memories for you aren't there?
"Assuming" Guru Gobind Singh ji was born like every other man/woman, he should have only started to develop memory when he was a baby. Even the memories you have as a baby are erased by the age of 5 since you're brain is very plastic meaning its still changing and developing rapidly.

Narayanjot Kaur · #9 (**permalink**) 15-Jan-2010, 13:18 PM

Thanks Bhagat ji - I see what you mean now.