Reincarnation within World Religions

HINDUISM
One of the main beliefs of Hinduism is that the atman (soul) lives
on while the body is subject to an actual death. The process of
samsara (the cycle of life and death) is the result of ignorance, it is
suggested that “one is only reborn through desires” – bodily
desires can never lead to true happiness, it is only through spiritual
enlightenment that one might achieve moksha (liberation).
It is suggested that Karma has a part to play in the
reincarnation of a person. Karma, literally meaning action, plays is
role in what a person is reincarnated as, a person with bad karma
will be less likely to achieve enlightenment.

“if one sows goodness, one will reap goodness; if one sows evil,

one will reap evil” – Vedas

The atman (soul or spiritual spark) when it achieves moksha will

return to where it came from; Brahman (the creator).

BUDDHISM
Everything within Buddhism is Dukkha; this is because of the
impermanence of life, everything always being in a constant state of
flux.
Buddha is thought to have left 84,000 teaching, representing
different styles of life. Reincarnation is a powerful moral teaching to
Buddhists “the fear that one will become an animal in the next life
will stop them acting like an animal in this life”

Although texts in Buddhism speak of reincarnation they actually mean

rebirth, because within Buddhism there is no idea of a soul it cannot
be classed as reincarnation.

SIKHISM
Sikhs suggest that the Paramatma (supreme soul) is representative of all people. Hindus point out that
Guru’s names and families are distinctly Hindu – they suggest that some Hindu concepts such as
karma and reincarnation are taken for granted within Sikhism. Reincarnation is a consistent process
until karma is resolved when the person merges with god.