Understanding Karma and Rebirth - Ruth Diana St

Understanding Karma and Rebirth A Buddhist Perspective

Rebirth and reincarnation have been generally accepted realities in the East since ancient times. There, the question is typically not whether there will be another life, but rather what form it will take. The West, conversely, has its own religious and secular beliefs which usually exclude the possibility of another life - at least not in this world or in this manner. A common Western perspective is that annihilation is inevitable: 'When you're dead, you're dead!'

However, whether East or West, until one awakens to the truth, one remains caught in cultural conditioning and personal beliefs. Buddhism focuses on becoming aware of what life actually is, rather than being blinded by beliefs and conditioning.

The Buddha saw life as a flowing procession of conditions, events and circumstances, with one thing leading to another without beginning or end - timeless and limitless. He recognised that our aware aspect - that which sees and knows - is never born and never dies. He spoke of directly 'seeing' into the nature of existence, beyond words and intellect.

This book explores the underlying message of understanding the cause-and-effect process - the nature of karma and rebirth - and what lies behind it. Diana St Ruth emphasises that Buddhism is a personal journey of discovery involving seeing through one's own delusions. She guides readers progressively towards awareness, mental clarity and understanding.