[enurihent]

right, im not trying to say i think there is a permanently existing soul. what im trying to get at is what reincarnates?

later day Buddhists have created theories that consciousness reincarnates but the scriptures show the Buddha did not teach this

the Buddha said what reincarnates (or takes "birth again"; "rebirth") is karma (action)

for example, you enjoy some delicious ice-cream. then, at a later time, your mind is takes birth into a state where it wishes for that same ice-cream

this is rebirth or reincarnation

thus, based on what the Buddha taught, many Buddhists hold these mental tendencies (such as for ice-cream), if not extinguished in this life, will be reborn after death

this is rebirth or reincarnation

what reincarnates are the mental tendencies (cravings) produced by karma (action)

kind regards