Rebirth and death

When beginners ask what undergoes rebirth they often have the self or atman in mind. Generally speaking, in Buddhism, what transmigrates from one being to the next is mind (citta) in which determinate consciousness (vijnana), in the case of humans, connects with a fertilized ovum. Now embodied in the womb, consciousness uses as its reference point the developing fetus which falls within the category of the Five Aggregates. Consciousness, thus, enters into dependent origination which is the opposite of nirvana.

According to the commentarial literature (MA.ii.310) a being to be born, called in Pali “gandhabba”, enters the womb according to its specific karma. In essence, the acquiring consciousness (vijnana), to be born, has to resonate with the DNA of the fertilized ovum. The process is a kind of tuning process in which consciousness tunes into the adequate ovum entering another existence; subjecting itself to countless modifications and suffering.

As we might infer from all of this, there is no escape from the cycles of rebirth insofar as our own consciousness desires to continually reestablish itself in the triple world, being heavily enchanted with it. Rebirth ceases only when consciousness links with pure Mind which is empty of distinguishing marks, infinite, and shining everywhere. In fine, consciousness becomes unconditioned because it has not fixed itself to the conditioned.

Since consciousness takes up what it rests on as might a clear jewel when placed on a white or black place, for example, it stands to reason that consciousness should be free from rebirth if linked with the unconditioned pure Mind. On the other hand, if consciousness has neither seen nor realized this pure Mind, like in the previous example of the clear jewel, it will establish itself in many possible kinds of defiled minds depending upon its karmic propensity.

However, this is not so with a blessed person. In the Maharatnakuta Sutra the Buddha said that “when a blessed, virtuous person is dying and his consciousness departs, he is peaceful and unaware of his death; he passes away fearlessly as if he were dreaming.” The blessed person is fearless because his consciousness resonates with the pure Mind which is beyond the pale of death. The subsequent transition from the carnal body to a transcendent body, during death, is without change or break.

Comments

[Lebensgeist]

Karma is defined as intention in AN 6.63.: "Intention, I tell you, is kamma. Intending, one does kamma by way of body, speech, and intellect."
I prefer to speak of volition, or better, will, habit energy is just part of the will together with drives, all we want in our conciousness and subconciousness.

And yes you are right, a noble environment is still located within the samsaric 6 realms.

[Bodhiratna]

I think the author draws a clear distinction between the consciousness which is reborn into the Triple World or into the Unborn.

"Low" (as in "Primitive") environment as opposed to "high" environment is, I am regret to say, still in the functionality of the Samsaric 6 Realms.

Volition (mental formations) is a part of the 5 Skandha, if I remember correctly, which is not Karma. Karma as I have understood in the Lankavatara Sutra is a by-product of Habit Energy.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/bb/bb15.htm
Which is like an person doing thing the same way time after time and getting the same retribution or (award).

In Buddhist practice, the person meditates the way the Patriarch did, time after time, then he/she eventually will realize self-nature (this is Good Karma). On the other hand, an insane person chasing materialistic wealth time after time thinking it is the source of happiness, then the reward is obviously and/or unfortunately not so good (Bad Karma).

By the way, I think the author is saying if we tune our consciousness to resonate with the Deathless, then eventually our consciousness become one with it. It makes sense if one abandons worldly view first.

Bodhiratna

[Lebensgeist]

Excellent article, just one note:

"it (conciousness) will establish itself in many possible kinds of defiled minds depending upon its karmic propensity.

To put it more clearly, since karma is volition, the disposition of our will during lifetime decides in what womb we will be reborn. If our will is primitive, driven by low instincts, we will be reborn in a "low" environment. On contrary, if our will is noble, we will be reborn in a noble environment.

[Bodhiratna]

This article, I must say is excellent, exquisite and rare! please write more essay like this. It is an eye-opening and intriguing to read. Thanks,

Bodhiratna