Exploring Karma & Rebirth

by Nagapriya

Every Buddhist should read it —David Loy
An excellent introduction —Stephen Batchelor
Cogent, knowledgeable, and penetrating—Norman Fischer Clarifies, examines and considers these two important but often misunderstood Buddhist doctrines. Offers an imaginative reading of what the teachings could mean for us now.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Nagapriya is a writer, thinker, flaneur, and latinophile.

Reviews

[Richard Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nagapriya has provided a good combination of scholarship and philosophical reflection. The scholarship consists of reports of how various Buddhist traditions, from Theravāda to Vajrayāna, have regarded karma and rebirth. Textual sources are provided, along with a list of suggested readings at the end of the book, so that anyone wishing to know more about the Buddhist tradition can use the book as a guide for further exploration. The philosophical reflections in the book explore such questions as how a modern person steeped in Darwinian evolutionary theory and modern depth psychology might square the traditional Buddhist teachings of rebirth and karma with how most educated people nowadays see life. Nagapriya raises intelligent questions and suggests various answers that might be given to them, but nowhere does the book become dogmatic or didactic. Rather than directing the reader toward any set of beliefs, the book helps the reader think various issues through. All things considered, the book provides an excellent introduction to the topic while also providing the non-beginner with plenty of food for thought.

[Gemma Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really excellent, clear and intelligent discussion of karma and rebirth. Nagapriya looks at some of the difficulties Westerners may have with these concepts. He focuses on the importance of spiritual practice over dogmatic beliefs and reiterates that the Dharma is to be seen as the means to liberation rather than an end in itself, suggesting this is a useful concept if we find it to be so, and not otherwise.A lively argument drawing examples from philosophy and film, ultimately concluding that living a skilful life is the best use we can make of our existence whatever our beliefs on this subject. The best thing I've read on the subject.

[Dharmamitra Jeff Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent exploration of that which can be communicated in words regarding Buddha-Dharma Cosmology of Karma/Kamma and Rebirth orRe-Becoming, to be more precise.
Wildly and Vastly Misunderstood are these Ultimately Ineffable Laws of the Universe.
Although impossible to convey the Reality, These LAWS are Fundamental as Gravity.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some excellent writing and compelling connections, but it often felt disjointed and as if the author wasn't clear about his aims for the book. Some clarity about the direction being taken in each section/chapter would help. I will read it again to explore the themes further, but I am left with the feeling that I want to find another book on this subject because this is not the book for me.

[Angel Shrestha · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for specific answers then this is not it. This book explores the concept of Karma and rebirth from various aspects and systems of practice and does a pretty good job at that. A bit disjointed at times ... but nevertheless very informative. The most important but for me was the ways on using the concept of Karma and rebirth as a practice which makes perfect sense.

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

It does exactly what it says on the tin - provides a summary of various Buddhist beliefs related to karma and rebirth - so I can't really fault it. However I was expecting something more and so I was disappointed. I was hoping the book would explain how these beliefs are compatible with modern scientific thinking as Stephen Bachelor sometimes attempts to do. Instead, for each belief it essentially concludes "Hmm that is a bit of a crazy primitive superstition isn't it. Maybe we should just take it as a metaphor instead of a truth."

[Bart Van den Bosch · Rating 1 out of 5]

Completely out of sync with all the other books I read. I doubt if this book reflects correctly what karma is. Rebirth is certainly not interpreted as in Mahayana Buddhism.

[W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

อจินไตยแท้ๆ

[Simon Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye-opener... highly recommended for any beginners in Buddhist thought.

[Inara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title in German:
Schlüssel zu Karma und Wiedergeburt