GENTLE BREEZE
By NELLY FAVIS VILLAFUERTE
Nelly Favis Villafuerte
Many people in ancient and modern times have been advocates and adherents of the teachings of reincarnation and transmigration. Basically reincarnation teaches that a person’s soul can live a progression of lives which will end only when a person frees himself of all sins. In effect, reincarnation teaches that a person can have many deaths and rebirths. After one death, the advocates of reincarnation believe that the soul does not perish but passes to another human body where it is reincarnated as a new life. Transmigration is a variation of the theory of reincarnation. Another name for transmigration is “metampsychosis.” In transmigration, it is believed that the new body in which the soul is said to be reincarnated is not limited to the human body but may include bodies of animals, plants, or other inanimate matters.
* * *
The teaching of transmigration is well-entrenched and developed in the two major religions of Indian origin – Hinduism and Buddhism. In both religions, the belief is that the fortunes of the soul in each rebirth are decided by its behavior in former lives. This is the application of the “law of karma” which says that no sin ever goes unpunished and no virtue remains unrewarded. The law of karma further states that if a person does not get rewarded or punished in this life, in the succeeding life, he will.
* * *
Following the law of karma, a man may be reborn as a god or as a parasitic worm. Probably this is the explanation why some people in India worship rats, and other animals like snakes, cows, and monkeys. The worshippers of these animals believe in the teaching of transmigration, which says that the new body in which the soul is said to be reincarnated is not limited to a human body. In other words, the rats are revered because of the belief that they may be the transmigrated bodies of one’s father, mother, or other ancestors.
* * *
In answer to negative comments on the teaching of transmigration, advocates of the teaching say: “Our belief is not really bad especially if you compare it with the belief of other people who worship objects without life. At least rats, cows, and snakes are living things.”
* * *
Is the concept of karma, which is applied in the teaching of transmigration biblical? Is it consistent with the concept of salvation as found in the Holy Bible? In biblical salvation, the forgiveness of sin is complete, as there is a fresh start for the repentant sinner. Thus, in II Corinthians 5:17, we find the following: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” This is not the case in the karmic law. There is a fatalistic acceptance of suffering in the law of karma – and sin is the result.
* * *
Going through John 9:1-3 of the New Testament in the Holy Bible, one gets the impression that Jesus refutes the idea of karma – when He explained that a blind man from birth did not bring his condition on himself. On the other hand we find in Galatians 6:7 the following: “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” This verse in effect is stressing man’s accountability to a personal God. Bible-believing Christians believe that God will judge man. On the other hand, believers of the teachings of reincarnation and transmigration are of the few that people will judge themselves according to the law of karma.
* * *
Transmigration, like reincarnation, is part of the belief of ancient religions other than Hinduism and Buddhism. An example is the case of an Australian aborigine who believes that the soul continuously reborn and that all infants are reincarnation of deceased ancestors. There are even tribal groups in Southeast Asia that adhere to the thinking that the soul is reborn in a succession of insect bodies. Similar ideas have been found in the religions of ancient Greece and the Celtic tribes of Northern Europe.
* * *
To a Bible-believing Christian, Christianity and reincarnation (or transmigration) is irreconcilable. Christianity says that man needs a Savior for the salvation of his soul. On the other hand, reincarnation says that there is no need as in the end everybody will be saved by the successive births and rebirths.
* * *
In ending this article, I would like to share one verse in the bible and I quote: “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” (Hebrews 9:27)
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This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis Villafuerte, 5233 Fahrenheit St., Palanan, Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano Bible that is preferred.
Be joyful and forgiving! (Comments may be sent to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: [email protected].)
Nelly Favis Villafuerte
Many people in ancient and modern times have been advocates and adherents of the teachings of reincarnation and transmigration. Basically reincarnation teaches that a person’s soul can live a progression of lives which will end only when a person frees himself of all sins. In effect, reincarnation teaches that a person can have many deaths and rebirths. After one death, the advocates of reincarnation believe that the soul does not perish but passes to another human body where it is reincarnated as a new life. Transmigration is a variation of the theory of reincarnation. Another name for transmigration is “metampsychosis.” In transmigration, it is believed that the new body in which the soul is said to be reincarnated is not limited to the human body but may include bodies of animals, plants, or other inanimate matters.
* * *
The teaching of transmigration is well-entrenched and developed in the two major religions of Indian origin – Hinduism and Buddhism. In both religions, the belief is that the fortunes of the soul in each rebirth are decided by its behavior in former lives. This is the application of the “law of karma” which says that no sin ever goes unpunished and no virtue remains unrewarded. The law of karma further states that if a person does not get rewarded or punished in this life, in the succeeding life, he will.
* * *
Following the law of karma, a man may be reborn as a god or as a parasitic worm. Probably this is the explanation why some people in India worship rats, and other animals like snakes, cows, and monkeys. The worshippers of these animals believe in the teaching of transmigration, which says that the new body in which the soul is said to be reincarnated is not limited to a human body. In other words, the rats are revered because of the belief that they may be the transmigrated bodies of one’s father, mother, or other ancestors.
* * *
In answer to negative comments on the teaching of transmigration, advocates of the teaching say: “Our belief is not really bad especially if you compare it with the belief of other people who worship objects without life. At least rats, cows, and snakes are living things.”
* * *
Is the concept of karma, which is applied in the teaching of transmigration biblical? Is it consistent with the concept of salvation as found in the Holy Bible? In biblical salvation, the forgiveness of sin is complete, as there is a fresh start for the repentant sinner. Thus, in II Corinthians 5:17, we find the following: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” This is not the case in the karmic law. There is a fatalistic acceptance of suffering in the law of karma – and sin is the result.
* * *
Going through John 9:1-3 of the New Testament in the Holy Bible, one gets the impression that Jesus refutes the idea of karma – when He explained that a blind man from birth did not bring his condition on himself. On the other hand we find in Galatians 6:7 the following: “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” This verse in effect is stressing man’s accountability to a personal God. Bible-believing Christians believe that God will judge man. On the other hand, believers of the teachings of reincarnation and transmigration are of the few that people will judge themselves according to the law of karma.
* * *
Transmigration, like reincarnation, is part of the belief of ancient religions other than Hinduism and Buddhism. An example is the case of an Australian aborigine who believes that the soul continuously reborn and that all infants are reincarnation of deceased ancestors. There are even tribal groups in Southeast Asia that adhere to the thinking that the soul is reborn in a succession of insect bodies. Similar ideas have been found in the religions of ancient Greece and the Celtic tribes of Northern Europe.
* * *
To a Bible-believing Christian, Christianity and reincarnation (or transmigration) is irreconcilable. Christianity says that man needs a Savior for the salvation of his soul. On the other hand, reincarnation says that there is no need as in the end everybody will be saved by the successive births and rebirths.
* * *
In ending this article, I would like to share one verse in the bible and I quote: “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” (Hebrews 9:27)
* * *
This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis Villafuerte, 5233 Fahrenheit St., Palanan, Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano Bible that is preferred.
Be joyful and forgiving! (Comments may be sent to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: [email protected].)