This document discusses the concepts of reincarnation and karma in Hindu philosophy. It provides quotes from ancient scriptures like the Bhagavad-gita supporting the idea that the soul transmigrates to new material bodies after death based on their karma. Famous figures from various religions and cultures who believed in reincarnation are listed. The subtle body containing the mind and intelligence is said to transfer between physical forms. Reincarnation is described as a merciful mechanism by which people can work to remedy sins from past lives through new experiences.

1. ReincarnationReincarnation
and Karmaand Karma

2. rere - ‘again’- ‘again’
inin – ‘enter into– ‘enter into’’
ccarnaarna ((llatat.).) -- ‘‘fleshflesh’ (’ (ie. bodyie. body))

3. ““As a person puts onAs a person puts on
new garments,new garments,
giving up old ones,giving up old ones,
similarly, the soulsimilarly, the soul
accepts newaccepts new
material bodies,material bodies,
giving up the oldgiving up the old
and useless ones.and useless ones.””
Bhagavad-gita 2.22Bhagavad-gita 2.22

4. For many centuries, greatFor many centuries, great
thinkers and scientiststhinkers and scientists
from the whole world havefrom the whole world have
been trying to fathombeen trying to fathom thethe
phenomenonphenomenon of life afterof life after
deathdeath and the mysteries ofand the mysteries of
remembrance of previousremembrance of previous
liveslives..

5. Famous persons who were aware of the lawsFamous persons who were aware of the laws
of reincarnationof reincarnation::
1)1) Jesus ChristJesus Christ,, 2)2) FlaviusFlavius Josephus (Josephus (JewishJewish
historian from Jesus’ timeshistorian from Jesus’ times),), 3)3) OrigenOrigen ((aa
church fatherchurch father from the 2nd centuryfrom the 2nd century),), 4)4)
SoSoccratrateses,, 5)5) Jalalu Rumi (Jalalu Rumi (IslamicIslamic poetpoet fromfrom
thethe 13.13. centurycentury),), 6)6) Paul Gaugin,Paul Gaugin, 7)7) ArthurArthur
Schopenhauer,Schopenhauer, 8)8) Voltaire,Voltaire, 9)9) Honore DeHonore De
Balsac,Balsac, 10)10) H.D. Thoreau,H.D. Thoreau, 11)11) MahatmaMahatma
Ghandi,Ghandi, 12)12) AlbertAlbert EinsteinEinstein,, 13)13) J.W. Goethe,J.W. Goethe,
14)14) Count LeoCount Leo TolstoTolstoyy,, 15)15) R.W. Emerson,R.W. Emerson, 16)16)
Walt WWalt Whithitman,man, 17)17) Benjamin Franklin,Benjamin Franklin, 18)18)
Mark Twain,Mark Twain, 19)19) Jack London,Jack London, 20)20) HenrHenryy Ford,Ford,
21)21) CarlCarl JJung,ung, 22)22) George HarrisonGeorge Harrison …… andand
many othersmany others..

6. Jesus Christ in theJesus Christ in the
Gnostic gospelGnostic gospel
Pistis SophiaPistis Sophia::
““The souls in thisThe souls in this
worldworld transmigratetransmigrate
from one body tofrom one body to
anotheranother.”.”

7. Due to politicalDue to political
aspirations, at theaspirations, at the
infamous council ininfamous council in
Nicaea in the yearNicaea in the year 325325
early Christian textsearly Christian texts
about reincarnation andabout reincarnation and
vegetarian diet werevegetarian diet were
ruled out of the Bibleruled out of the Bible..
For centuries theFor centuries the
leading world religionsleading world religions
have not taken thehave not taken the
laws of reincarnationlaws of reincarnation
seriously enough.seriously enough.

8. In the year 1600, prosecutors of the Inquisition
tortured and burned the Dominican priest and
philosopher Giordano Bruno.
He was proclaimed a traitor and a heathenHe was proclaimed a traitor and a heathen
because he preached about life after death.because he preached about life after death.

9. Reincarnation isReincarnation is
an expression ofan expression of
God’s mercy.God’s mercy.
God is not so
brutal as to
throw sinners
into eternal
suffering in
hell.

10. On the contrary, He is soOn the contrary, He is so
merciful thatmerciful that He offers newHe offers new
chances for redemption fromchances for redemption from
accumulated sins even toaccumulated sins even to
the most sinful.the most sinful.

11. Along with making great
progress in psychology and
science in general, in modern
times there have been many
scientists who, by their scientific
research, have proven the
continuation of life after the
demise of the material body.

12. That cycle of births and deaths is known in the
language of ancient Vedas as samsara from
the time immemorial . It is depicted by the
symbol of a time-wheel.

13. Dr. Ian Stevenson (USA)
Psychiatrist and author of several
books about documented examples
of proof of reincarnation.
Dr. Brian L. Weiss (USA)
Hypnotherapist and psychiatrist.
Author of books about
documented examples of proof of
reincarnation.
Tom Shroder (USA)
Author of three books. The most
prominent is Old Souls.
Dr. Michael Newton (USA)
Hypnotherapist and author
of four books.
...... and many othersand many others..

14. Do you think you are theDo you think you are the
body you see in thebody you see in the
mirrormirror??

15. In the oldest sacred
books in the world (the
Vedas), which originate
from God Himself
(Krishna), it is written
that what we identify
with is nothing but a
blend of subtle and gross
material bodies.

16. Subtle (astral)Subtle (astral)
bodybody
• MindMind
• IntelIntelligenceligence
• FalseFalse egoego

17. The functionsThe functions
of the mindof the mind
• FeelingFeeling
• WillingWilling
• ThinkingThinking

18. The functions ofThe functions of
the intelligencethe intelligence
• ResourcefulnessResourcefulness
in new situationsin new situations
• DistinguishingDistinguishing
between good andbetween good and
badbad
• Control of theControl of the
sensessenses

19. FalseFalse egoego
forces us to thinkforces us to think
thatthat the grossthe gross
material or subtlematerial or subtle
bodybody is our realis our real
identityidentity..

20. FalseFalse egoego is the mostis the most
subtle materialsubtle material elementelement..
DDue to false ego, weue to false ego, we
think of ourselves inthink of ourselves in
terms ofterms of illusoryillusory
identifiidentificationscations ......

21. ...... such as body typesuch as body type,, gendergender, ra, racece, na, nationalitytionality,,
religreligionion,, profession, etcprofession, etc..

22. Forgetfulness of our eternal spiritual nature
and identification with illusory identities is
known in the language of the Vedas as
maya, ‘that which is not’.

23. The subtle body sometimesThe subtle body sometimes
gets out of the gross body -gets out of the gross body -
for example, at the time offor example, at the time of
a car accident, a trauma,a car accident, a trauma,
during a surgical operationduring a surgical operation,,
under the influence ofunder the influence of
narcotics, etc.narcotics, etc.
In some cases it is a clinical deathIn some cases it is a clinical death ......

24. ... and sometimes astral
projection –– exiting the bodyexiting the body
during deep sleepduring deep sleep or consciousor conscious
exiting in wakeful stateexiting in wakeful state..

25. There is a vast number of documented casesThere is a vast number of documented cases of peopleof people
who could remember in great detail some of theirwho could remember in great detail some of their
previous incarnationsprevious incarnations,, speak the language from a pastspeak the language from a past
life,life, or master some skills they had learned long agoor master some skills they had learned long ago
(in some previous lives).(in some previous lives).

26. The spirit soul (our real identity), covered by
the subtle body, transmigrates into another
material body at the time of death.

27. If we are notIf we are not
the subtle bodythe subtle body,,
is there anyis there any
point inpoint in
identifying withidentifying with
the grossthe gross
material bodymaterial body......

28. ...... which iswhich is
subjected tosubjected to
various diseasesvarious diseases,,
old age andold age and
deathdeath??

29. The body has its beginningThe body has its beginning ......
...... and its frequently unpredicted end.and its frequently unpredicted end.

30. It is made ofIt is made of
fragile andfragile and
perishableperishable
materialsmaterials..

31. It is subjected toIt is subjected to
endless diseasesendless diseases..

32. The beauty of the body is only skin deepThe beauty of the body is only skin deep..

33. And yet most peopleAnd yet most people
think that the body …think that the body …

34. ...... is meant exclusively for enjoymentis meant exclusively for enjoyment..

35. Thus, they are too concerned about the bodyThus, they are too concerned about the body
and disregard their real identityand disregard their real identity..

36. It is just likeIt is just like
polishing apolishing a
birdcagebirdcage
without feedingwithout feeding
the bird withinthe bird within..
In this allegory theIn this allegory the
cage represents thecage represents the
bodybody and the bird,and the bird,
the soul.the soul.

37. TheThe VedVedasas inform us that there areinform us that there are
8,400,0008,400,000 species of living beingsspecies of living beings inin
thethe univeruniversese..

38. These are onlyThese are only
some of themsome of them

39. So, if we are neitherSo, if we are neither
subtle norsubtle nor gross materialgross material
body – who are we in thebody – who are we in the
first placefirst place??

40. The spirit soulThe spirit soul located in the heart islocated in the heart is
of an atomic size.of an atomic size.
“For the soul there is never
birth nor death. Nor, having
once been, does he ever
cease to be. He is unborn,
eternal, ever-existing,
undying and primeval. He is
not slain when the body is
slain.”
Bhagavad-gita 2.20

41. The symptom of presence of the soul isThe symptom of presence of the soul is
consciousness which animates the body and givesconsciousness which animates the body and gives
it life.it life.

42. Without the soul, the body is nothing
but a lump of lifeless chemicals.

43. ““As the embodied soul continually passes, in thisAs the embodied soul continually passes, in this
body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soulbody, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul
similarly passes into another body at death. Thesimilarly passes into another body at death. The
self-realized soul is not bewildered by such aself-realized soul is not bewildered by such a
changechange.“.“
Bhagavad-gita 2.13.Bhagavad-gita 2.13.

44. By a certain law, the soul transmigrates
from one type of the body into another.

45. That law is called
The law of action and reaction

46. Example 1.Example 1.
According to the infallible law of karmaAccording to the infallible law of karma,, thosethose
who kill and eat animalswho kill and eat animals have to take an animalhave to take an animal
body in the next lifebody in the next life iin order to go through then order to go through the
same experiencesame experience..

47. ExampleExample 2.2.
Those who are pious and do good things toThose who are pious and do good things to otherother
living beings are rewarded by variousliving beings are rewarded by various
conveniences in the next lifeconveniences in the next life..

48. ExampleExample 3.3.
Good and bad karmaGood and bad karma
constantly intertwineconstantly intertwine..

49. “It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable,
immutable, and unchangeable. Knowing this, you
should not grieve for the body.”
Bhagavad-gita 2.25

50. The body is merely a vehicle for the soul,The body is merely a vehicle for the soul, whichwhich
moves the body just as a drivermoves the body just as a driver moves a car.moves a car.
According to our karma, we drive a
good car or a bad car.

51. Right before or at the time of deathRight before or at the time of death,, peoplepeople
see ‘the movie of lifesee ‘the movie of life’...’...
What happens when the
soul leaves the body?

52. ...... the lightthe light at the end ofat the end of aa tuntunnelnel,,

53. ...... and some subtle beingsand some subtle beings..
According to the activities during lifeAccording to the activities during life,, at the timeat the time
of deathof death some people meet angelic beingssome people meet angelic beings andand
some meet monstroussome meet monstrous ones.ones.

54. Why do we have toWhy do we have to
constantly changeconstantly change
bodiesbodies??
It is due to universal law ofIt is due to universal law of
karma,karma, which forces us towhich forces us to
enjoyenjoy or sufferor suffer the outcomesthe outcomes
of our activitiesof our activities ((good or badgood or bad
deedsdeeds).).

55. This law is also known asThis law is also known as “A“As you sow,s you sow,
so shall you reapso shall you reap.”.”

56. Sinful activities are the main reason
for suffering. These may be
categorized into four groups.
They are ...

57. Eating meat, fish
and eggs
Illicit sex

58. Intoxication Gambling and
cheating

59. In spite ofIn spite of numerous,numerous,
indisputable proofs ofindisputable proofs of
life after deathlife after death,, manymany
people do not believepeople do not believe
in reincarnationin reincarnation..
They are guided byThey are guided by
sloganslogan:: ““I believe onlyI believe only
those things I canthose things I can
perceive by myperceive by my
sensessenses.”.”

60. But our senses are extremelyBut our senses are extremely
limited and imperfectlimited and imperfect..
Eye can see mostly gross matter. It cannot see micro-
organisms, distant objects, nor anything in pitch darkness.
Ear can hear only sounds in the frequency between 20Hz
and 20.000Hz. We cannot hear hyper-sounds and
ultrasounds.
Nose cannot perceive scents perceivable by dogs, who
have 15 times better sense of smell.
The same limitations are applicable to senses of touch and
taste.

61. The world we perceiveThe world we perceive
is but a smallis but a small part ofpart of
realityreality,, just as we canjust as we can
see only the tip of ansee only the tip of an
icebergiceberg..
Just as the larger part ofJust as the larger part of
an iceberg is hiddenan iceberg is hidden
under the waterunder the water,,
likewise, the larger partlikewise, the larger part
of ourof our ((spiritualspiritual))
individuality cannot beindividuality cannot be
perceived byperceived by ourour
imperfect materialimperfect material
senses.senses.

62. Who governs theWho governs the
universal laws ofuniversal laws of karmkarmaa
and cycle ofand cycle of
reincarnationreincarnation??
GodGod (Kri(Krishshna)na) isis
situated in the heart ofsituated in the heart of
everyevery living being asliving being as
the witness ofthe witness of allall ourour
activitiesactivities,, thoughts andthoughts and
desiresdesires.. He is notHe is not
partial to anyone, andpartial to anyone, and
He awards everyone asHe awards everyone as
they deservethey deserve..

63. According to our desires and activities, we
receive and change our bodies just as actors
change roles and costumes.

64. What happens withWhat happens with the sinful andthe sinful and
the pious people at the end of lifethe pious people at the end of life??

65. The sinners are cast into one of 28The sinners are cast into one of 28 hellishhellish
planets situated at the bottom of the universeplanets situated at the bottom of the universe..
After suffering on the hellish planets, theyAfter suffering on the hellish planets, they take birth intake birth in
some lower speciessome lower species or as a human being who willor as a human being who will
continue tocontinue to suffer due to bad karmic reactions.suffer due to bad karmic reactions.

66. The pious are not those who merely pray in the church,
mosque, synagogue or temple. Neither are they those
who merely believe in God. (Nor are they those who are
simply dressed in priestly garb).
Who isWho is
trulytruly
piouspious??

67. The pious are those who according to the principles ofThe pious are those who according to the principles of
their religion,their religion, whowho do good deeds to other living beings,do good deeds to other living beings,
and who are free from anger and greedand who are free from anger and greed -- i.ei.e.. those whothose who
indeed understand and closely adhere toindeed understand and closely adhere to the fundamentalthe fundamental
principles of the religion they follow.principles of the religion they follow.

68. How to get out from an unending cycle
of birth and death and achieve the
meaning of human life?

69. Every living being (the
soul) have their eternal
spiritual form (either
male or female), which
becomes fully
manifested when we
achieve the perfection
of human life ...

70. ...... unending and selfless loveunending and selfless love
of Krishnaof Krishna..

71. The soul in the form of a tinyThe soul in the form of a tiny
sparkspark which gives consciousnesswhich gives consciousness
and life to the material bodiesand life to the material bodies ......
...... in the spiritual worldin the spiritual world resumes its eternalresumes its eternal
bodybody,, full of transcendental knowledge andfull of transcendental knowledge and
bliss - a body which is not subjected to thebliss - a body which is not subjected to the
laws of thelaws of the materimaterialal energenergyy..

72. However, a perfect spiritual body cannot be achieved
merely by pious activities. At best, pious activities can
take us only to heaven (which is a part of this
temporary material world).

73. The heavenly planets areThe heavenly planets are
located in the top of thelocated in the top of the
material universematerial universe,, andand
their inhabitants are alsotheir inhabitants are also
subjected to births andsubjected to births and
deathsdeaths.. Enjoyment in theEnjoyment in the
heaven is not eternalheaven is not eternal..

74. According to their original nature,According to their original nature, the livingthe living
beings arebeings are satsat -- eternaleternal,, citcit –– full of perfectfull of perfect
knowledge, andknowledge, and anandaananda –– unlimitedly blissfulunlimitedly blissful..

75. When eternal living being gets entangled in Krishna’s
lower, material energy - it identifies itself with the
material body which is asat - perishable, acit - full of
ignorance and anxiety , and nirananda - full of miseries.

76. Every living being is free to choose the world
in which they wish to live.
... the world of vanity, evil and avarice.
The world of selflessness and loving service, or ...

77. Krishna is the creator
and owner of all
opulence, spiritual and
material. If we
approach Krishna with
an attitude of humble
service and with a
pure heart, all divine
opulence will be
available to us, too.

78. If we selfishly approach
Krishna’s opulence,
neglecting its true owner,
our every attempt at
enjoyment will be as
ephemeral as a sand
castle.

79. Finally, how can we achieve the perfection ofFinally, how can we achieve the perfection of
lifelife -- awaken our dormant love for Krishnaawaken our dormant love for Krishna andand
return back to the spiritual worldreturn back to the spiritual world??

80. By the exchange ofBy the exchange of
selfless spiritual love.selfless spiritual love.

81. Krishna created all living beingsKrishna created all living beings in order toin order to
exchange pure, unselfish love with themexchange pure, unselfish love with them.. ThoseThose
who by free choice agree to such an exchange ofwho by free choice agree to such an exchange of
love are calledlove are called bhaktasbhaktas (devotees)(devotees) who renderwho render
devotional service (devotional service (bhaktibhakti) to Him.) to Him.

82. BhaktiBhakti can be expressed through prayerscan be expressed through prayers,,
musicmusic,, dancedance,, writingwriting,, speech, listeningspeech, listening
about spiritual topicsabout spiritual topics,, etcetc..

83. Please visit our website www.krishna.com and read some of our
books which convey the ancient wisdom that has been
preserved by generations of saints through thousands of years.
This slide presentation has been made according to the
philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita and the teachings of A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a genuine spiritual master
who made the spiritual tradition of the ancient Vedic literatures
available to the whole of humanity.
Author of the presentation:
Vladimir Pavić,Vladimir Pavić, (Vrsabha das)(Vrsabha das)
vpd108@gmail.comvpd108@gmail.com
ISKCON “International Society for Krishna
Consiousness”
((FounderFounder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)

84. The end?