Reincarnation: A short and accessible lesson on the key Buddhist concept from the bestselling Zen Master

by Thich Nhat Hanh

A short and accessible lesson on the key Buddhist concept of reincarnation from the Zen Master and bestselling author of The Miracle of Mindfulness

In this book, with characteristic clarity and simplicity, Thich Nhat Hanh offers deep reflections on reincarnation or ‘continuation.’ Using intuitive examples – a teapot, parents and children, banyan trees and more – Thich Nhat Hanh breaks down what it means to go beyond the notions of birth and death.

Influenced by what and how we consume, our actions of thought, speech and body are our true continuation. Moving into the future as the totality of our actions, we can see ourselves as more than this body and mind.

When we free ourselves from a limited conception of who we are – when we let go of self-attachment – we make possible a true understanding of rebirth.

Genres: Psychology, Buddhism

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 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.

[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.