The Imperfect Buddha Podcast 07 Jayarava Decimates Rebirth and Karma
Nov 3, 2015
Jayarava, an independent researcher and scholar known for his critical writings on Buddhism, tackles the provocative subjects of rebirth and karma. He argues against the feasibility of these concepts in light of modern science, drawing from physicist Sean Carroll's work. The discussion takes a deep dive into the complexities of consciousness and its implications on identity, challenging traditional beliefs while offering a liberating perspective on mortality. Listeners are encouraged to confront their views on existence and ethical living in today’s world.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Buddhism Focuses on Mind Phenomena
- Buddhism primarily aims to understand how the mind works, not to describe physical reality.
- Dependent arising originally describes mental phenomena, not physical objects.
Afterlife Defies Known Physics
- Physics at human scales leaves no room for supernatural forces like an afterlife.
- Rebirth or afterlife would require rewriting known physical laws, which is unsupported by evidence.
Buddhist Rebirth Theories Conflict
- Buddhist schools disagree fundamentally on how rebirth works with no consensus.
- They invented conflicting solutions like the Antara Bhava to reconcile karmic continuity.
