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Karma And Rebirth

All schools of Buddhism accept the truth of karma which is the natural force of cause and effect created by willful acts. Karma is a natural phenomenon which is not created by or under the control of any Supernatural Lawgiver. Simply, every act has a natural consequence based on its intention. Karma can either liberate us or condemn us; it gives us ultimate responsibility for our actions because we control how and why we act.

Rebirth is a basic belief in most Buddhist schools; some feel it is not a necessary view for the practice of Buddhism. Rebirth is different from reincarnation. Buddhism rejects the notion of a separate soul that reincarnates from one life to another. It teaches that the total sum of our karmic mental consciousness reappears in another being or form after the physical death of one's physical body. Death is not seen as an end but as a continuation and as a gateway to re-manifest our karmic energy, which will perpetuate suffering endlessly until the mind is purified. Therefore, combined with the truth of karma, everybody is responsible for their own rebirth, whether good or bad. Since only our karmic energy exists after death, each and every life form is seen as unique and precious.