Karma, Rebirth, and Buddhist Identity: Historical Developments and Contemporary Debates Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

This thesis discusses whether belief in literal rebirth is indispensable to Buddhist practice and identity or whether agnostic, metaphorical, or psychological perspective can still fulfill its core ethical and soteriological aims. It reviews modern scholarly debates, showing how some see repeated lifetimes as essential for moral urgency, while others contend that ethical practice does not depend on afterlife beliefs. Drawing on early Indian sources, it highlights the Buddha’s shift from ritual to volitional ethics, which allows both macrocosmic and microcosmic views of rebirth. Examining Buddhism’s adaptation to Confucian and Daoist contexts in China, and comparing Pure Land Buddhism’s promise of a western paradise with Chan Buddhism’s this-worldly focused practice, the thesis concludes that Buddhist practice can remain viable even without belief in a strictly literal rebirth.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1. THE DEBATE ON KARMA AND REBIRTH.................................................................... 1

1.1 Framing the Question............................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Must One Accept Literal Rebirth?............................................................................................. 4

1.2.1 Traditional approach............................................................................................................. 4

1.2.2 Agnostic Approach................................................................................................................ 5

1.2.3 Secular or “Naturalized” Approach.......................................................................................... 7

1.2.4 A Zen Buddhist’s Approach.................................................................................................... 10

1.3 Chapters Overview.................................................................................................................. 13

CHAPTER 2. HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS OF KARMA AND REBIRTH IN INDIA........................... 16

2.1 The Centrality of Karma and Rebirth in Buddhism................................................................... 16

2.2 The Unique Buddhist Ethical Emphasis in the Doctrine of Karma............................................. 18

2.3 Karma in The Pāli canon.......................................................................................................... 20

2.4 The Question of Literal Rebirth in Right View......................................................................... 26

2.5 Macrocosmic vs. Microcosmic Rebirth..................................................................................... 28

2.6 The Six Realms........................................................................................................................ 22

CHAPTER 3. THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KARMA AND REBIRTH IN EARLY CHINA.................... 33

3.1 The Arrival of Buddhism in China............................................................................................ 33

3.2 Confucian and Daoist Context................................................................................................ 36

3.3 Challenges in Terminology and Doctrine................................................................................ 38

3.4 Early Mahāyāna in China........................................................................................................ 42

3.4.1 Lokakṣema......................................................................................................................... 42

3.4.2 The Bodhisattva Ideal........................................................................................................... 44

3.4.3 Kumārajīva........................................................................................................................ 45

3.5 Reevaluating Karma and Rebirth in Early China...................................................................... 47

CHAPTER 4. A CASE STUDY AND CONCLUSION............................................................................ 49

4.1 Pure Land Buddhism................................................................................................................ 49

4.1.1 The Amitābha Vows.............................................................................................................. 49

4.1.2 Huiyuan and Shandao.......................................................................................................... 50

4.2 Chan’s Critique of Pure Land.................................................................................................. 52

4.3 Revisiting the Central Question.............................................................................................. 56

4.3.1 Revisiting Each Chapter....................................................................................................... 56

4.3.2 The Conclusion................................................................................................................... 59

BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................. 61

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Religion
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Religion, General Regional Studies
Stichwort	karma Buddhist identity Buddhism Chinese Buddhism rebirth
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Sara L McCintock, Emory University
Committee Members	Frank Lechner, Emory University Eric Reinders, Emory University Wei Wu, Emory University

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