[Opinion_counts]

I recently realised since coming here that my entire basis on my belief from rebirth came from Thich Nhat Hanhs' understanding of it. From what I understand he doesn't really believe, or teach Rebirth, so much as Continuation. This to me makes plenty of more sense to me then the idea of the transference of a persons conciousness. It is, to me, the most logical and scientific conclusion that can be concluded using the mind, deep looking. Everything that makes the personality is explained more so by his environment, genetics, thoughts, speech, and actions, more so then the transference of past Karma. This is what he had to say at the end of a summer session...

http://www.mindfulnessbell.org/articles/karma1.php

If you were born into Saudi Arabia, under parents who were both predominantly shy, the likelihood of you being a shy muslim is very high. Today scientists and psychologists pretty much agree with what makes the person, the person they are today, is the environment and surroundings they grew up in, the influences in their lives, and anything inborn from there genetics.

Where does conciousness transference come into play here? What is the point of it, when it has very little, if any, of a true effect, when under the critiscism of modern science/psychology? (This is the main question)

The only possible evidence for concioussness transference, or anything at all transferring after death, is past life memories. But even those are easily explained by what could be a very Buddhist way of looking/thinking. Everything is connected, perhaps even our minds on some level. Perhaps a whole system of minds, a database throughout the world, like an internet, a world conciousness.

From what I have seen, most people who remember past lives, remember people from their own culture/background, probably because it is easier for them to process. An asian is most likely to remember an asian past life, as with a european or an african. Perhaps sub conciousnesses of the world mind?

I honestly just can't grasp the traditional idea of rebirth, and not because I have not 'practiced' buddhism as long as many others, but because I have learned everything I know from a mixture all Buddhist traditions, and from modern day science/psychology. There is just no way for me to think in such a way. Perhaps when the Buddha spoke of his past lives, he meant that everything is 'one', past and present, the elements that make up our bodies, that let the 'mind' be possible, are returned to the Universe once we die. So, I was the King of a small country, with many beautiful wives, and worshipped by the people for my Grandeur and splendidness!!!