Reincarnation

by Thich Nhat Hanh

#1 Bestseller in Eastern Philosophy (Amazon)
#1 Bestseller in Zen Spirituality (Amazon)

Every moment is a moment of rebirth.

In this profound short book, Thich Nhat Hanh offers clear, accessible reflections on the nature of reincarnation—which he calls “continuation.” 

Our thoughts, speech, and actions are our true continuation. Shaped by how we live and what we consume, they carry us forward into the future—far beyond the boundaries of this body.

When we release the illusion of a separate self, we open the door to a liberating rebirth is not somewhere else, someday later. It is happening now, in every moment.

Genres: Buddhism, Psychology

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.

Reviews

[Translator Monkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up from three and a half stars. While there's nothing to suggest it on the cover, this edition is cobbled together from papers and transcribed talks from Thich Nhat Hanh, material that's been published and available for some time. Further, about a third of the book is explanatory material from well-known Plum Village monk Phap Luu to supplement Thay's writing for those less familiar with the subject.

Unsurprisingly, there are no connections between Engaged Buddhism's idea of reincarnation and what the public has been fed through popular media (wherein a dying/dead person's soul somehow inhabits a newborn baby), and Thay clearly explains the concept of reincarnation (rebirth) manifesting in no-self while we are alive, before we are alive, and after we have passed. As is his trademark he is able to take easily digestible examples throughout.

A small book, but steeped in sometimes challenging concepts.

Three and a half stars (rounded up to four) because I liked it, but would have appreciated forewarning on the cover of the shared authorship, and with an explanation in the description that the material is derived from previous publications. Neither is a bad thing, but I opened the cover thinking I was reading a new book penned by Thay in his later years.

[Bryce Houck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful view on the continuation of what we think of as the “self”. Highly recommend this read if you’re into Buddhist/ Eastern Philosophy.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an excerpt of the book first in Tricycle magazine and immediately felt resonance and intrigue by the way Thich Nhat Hahn’s teachings turn the caricatures I had of reincarnation and karma into accessible and authentically Buddhist teachings on mindfulness and nonattachment — e.g., his teaches that reincarnation is not meant to imply we transpose or transmute from our current bounded life form into another bounded life form but that we are all temporary bundles of life that affect and are deeply affected by other bundles of life, both in the present moment and as continuations of all past bundles, particularly personal ancestors. In this way, karma becomes about the energy we cultivate in the present moment and reincarnation as the invitation to consider each successive present moment as a rebirth in which to make a mindful choice that can weaken habits of thought or action that cause suffering and instead strengthen the seeds of peace, love, and “right” action.

Also really enjoyed the commentary from Brother Phap Luu along the way which felt to me like a filter through which to translate and absorb the Buddhist ideas. Because as a product of the 1970s and 1980s here in the US, I feel like Buddhism will only ever be available to me as a second language, forever limited by my deeply conditioned Western mind. ;)

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing that we are the sun, we give up the candle's habit of fearing the wind.

Deeply helpful in a number of ways, I truly feel the instruction given in this short little volume could change my life. I love reading about philosophy and religion and it's even more enjoyable when it's as practical and realistic as this. Adore!!!!

[Cynthia Marcolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything written by Thich Nhat Hanh is helpful for reducing stress.