Buddhism & Reincarnation: What Really Happens After Death?

What Is Reincarnation?

To start things off: what is reincarnation? At its simplest, reincarnation is the idea that after death, the soul or essence of a person is reborn into a new body. This new life could be human, animal, or something else entirely, depending on the belief system.

Sounds mystical, right?
Reincarnation is found in many spiritual traditions, but it means slightly different things in each one. And when we zoom in on Buddhism and reincarnation, the picture gets even more nuanced.

Buddhism Reincarnation Beliefs: Not What You Might Think

Here’s where things get interesting: Buddhism doesn’t actually teach reincarnation in the way many people assume. Unlike some traditions that believe in a permanent soul hopping from body to body, Buddhism reincarnation beliefs revolve around a concept called rebirth.

So, is reincarnation the same as rebirth in Buddhism?

Not exactly. Let’s unpack that.