Reincarnation
Wikipedia contributors · 2024 · Wikipedia
Summary
Cross-cultural survey of reincarnation beliefs, religious variations, and modern research on cases of the type studied at UVA DOPS.
Why it matters here
Useful for the breadth of the concept across traditions, and for keeping doctrinal reincarnation distinct from empirical child-memory case research.
Linked claims
A popular comforting belief among grieving pet owners. No documented case archive on the order of human past-life cases.
If past-life cases are taken seriously, reincarnation is the most economical narrative — but several other models also fit the data.
A New Age doctrine that pre-birth agreements — sometimes elaborated into detailed 'life plans' — explain difficult relationships and life events. No empirical basis beyond suggestible regression.
A widespread spiritual interpretation. There is no independent way to test whether lessons are being assigned, completed, or graded.
Related evidence hubs
Children's past-life memories, birthmark cases, and the rebirth interpretation.
Past-life memories, karma, soul contracts.
Animal consciousness, plant cognition, animal psi.
Whether anything of mind continues.
World religions and traditions, scored as systems.
Growth, suffering, synchronicity, calling.
Determinism, free will, destiny.