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In reply to the discussion: What do you think happens when you die? [View all]vlyons
(10,252 posts)We believe that at death, the mind goes through an inbetween state called the "bardo." It is a very confusing and scary state. One must remember that everything that is experienced is but a projection of one's own mind. Just like in life, everything that we experience is a projection of one's own mind. We carry a lot of mental formations that have karmic implications, which we carry forward into the next life. The karmic formations are, "I like," "I don't like," "I want," "I don't want." So we get reborn into one of 6 realms, to start the next cycle of samsaric existence. The most fortunate realm for rebirth is the human realm, because only humans have the very rare opportunity to achieve an enlightened mind.
Personally, I don't know if reincarnation is real or not. I have decided to keep an open mind to the possibility. And if true, I desire to be reborn as a human into a loving family with a close and early opportunity from childhood to hear Buddhist teachings. If you want to know more about Buddhist teach about reincarnation, you should learn about the Twelve Steps of Dependent Origination.
https://thubtenchodron.org/1993/01/pervading-compounded-suffering/