Just because there are many definitions depending on what background you have here is a link that has most of the views on it. The misunderstanding with reincarnation and nirvana is a few things:
Reincarnation- it is possible and likely that one will progress both forward and backward(i.e. hitler was reincarnated as a rock) depending upon how you act in this life, until they(soul) has the experience to achieve enlightenment. There is no wrong path to this end, merely faster ways than others. (which is also why buddhists are so accepting of other religions- they don't perceive them as wrong, merely slow)
Off the book with nirvana, the way I see it(and my buddhism is different than most) is that you achieve a oneness with the universe, an opening of conciousness and the discarding of human suffering, in other words, total inner peace....
Reincarnation- it is possible and likely that one will progress both forward and backward(i.e. hitler was reincarnated as a rock) depending upon how you act in this life, until they(soul) has the experience to achieve enlightenment. There is no wrong path to this end, merely faster ways than others. (which is also why buddhists are so accepting of other religions- they don't perceive them as wrong, merely slow)
Off the book with nirvana, the way I see it(and my buddhism is different than most) is that you achieve a oneness with the universe, an opening of conciousness and the discarding of human suffering, in other words, total inner peace....
justjake71 said:i thought that they are reincarnatied untill they were the best thing(be it person animal w/e) then they reach nirvana