Phra Pandit on the Buddhist Concepts of Birth, Death & Rebirth [Season 4, Episode 54]

In this episode of Bangkok Podcast Metaphysics, Greg
interviews our favorite guest, Phra Pandit, about notions of
heaven and hell in Thai Buddhism. Phra Pandit begins by
explaining the difference between reincarnation and rebirth. In
Theravada Buddhism, there is not a belief in a constant, steady
soul. Instead, life force, for lack of a better term, passes from
one lifetime to another, like a flame from one candle to the
next. In general, a person cannot remember his or her past lives,
but a few, enlightened individuals can. 


Phra Pandit continues by explaining that a person can be
reborn in this world, but may very well be reborn into a layer of
heaven or hell, all determined by one's build up of karmic merit
or sin. He outlines what specific behaviors will result in
someone moving 'down' or moving 'up' in the afterlife. Next, he
discusses the role of angels or 'devas' in the system.


The guys also touch on the topic of enlightenment, and Phra
Pandit explains that an 'Arahant' is someone who has stepped out
of the cycle of rebirth completely and is simply not reborn at
all. We all have something to look forward to!


And just for our patrons, the worst selfie ever taken by
Greg with Phra Pandit at his temple. Double chins FTW!


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