Chapter 6: "Evolution, Karma, and Rebirth" Summary

Sogyal begins the chapter by discussing the night of the Buddha's enlightenment, and points out the first stage of the enlightenment was the realization of past lives, or reincarnation. Sogyal notes that reincarnation has been a part of most major religions, including Christianity and Middle Eastern religion, and that a 1992 Gallup study showed one in four Americans believe in reincarnation. He admits that many question reincarnation since there are no memories of previous lives, but debates this issue by pointing out that lack of recollection or experience does not mean something does not exist. Sogyal offers proof for reincarnation by telling the story of Arthur Flowerdew from Norfolk England. Arthur repeatedly saw images in his mind of a city surrounded by a desert, a strange rock, a temple, and an odd structure within...