rebirth

Rebirth, also known as reincarnation, is the concept of an individual's persistent aspect—such as consciousness, mind, or soul—being reborn into successive existences after bodily death. These existences can be human, animal, or spiritual, depending on the tradition.1

Belief in rebirth is prominent in South and East Asian religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. These traditions share the doctrine of karma, the law of cause and effect, where actions in this life determine future existences. The ultimate goal in these religions is liberation from the cycle of birth and death, known as moksha.12

While most common in Asian religions, ideas of rebirth also appear in various other religious and philosophical systems globally, including ancient Greek thought and some modern religious movements. The concept of rebirth is fundamentally tied to the idea of an afterlife, offering a continuation of existence beyond physical death.13