A question about reincarnation

Hello everyone, I am a writer doing some research for a book and had a few questions about the concepts of Reincarnation.

In the world we are building there is a new technology which makes everyone functionally immortal and this technology is thrust upon the American people as a whole.

My question is, how would this affect those of Hindu faith? Because there is a component of Reincarnation, would Hindu people be upset by the technology? What questions would this raise within the faith? How would an average Hindu person react to this technology and the idea that they would no longer be able to come into new bodies?

Originally Posted by pastrylie

this technology is thrust upon the American people as a whole.

You'd all have to emigrate.

What is this new technology which makes everyone functionally immortal...??Are u doing research for a fictional book???Personally i dont think the human body can become immortal..It is possible that the human life could be prolonged up to 150 years or so..but immortality would be impossible.

lol .... what technology pastrylie !.... i am interested indeed :).
I am a student of science ... i want to know how this technology is going to work :) ... i can assure you i will be the first one to avail that chance , off course my belief will not be hurt..... the day i will be bored with the old medically injured body and stop functioning voluntarily , i will reincarnate in to a new , soft newborn body and will have the fun of growing again.lol.
Edit: again ..for Rishi's reincarnation was realization first ... and a realization later.... for us faith first and realization later if we follows their ways or faith first and faith later if we don't follow them.But faith without realization is dangerous in case of any religion and tradition.

Just for clarification, yes it is a fictional book. In context of the the story it would reduce the body's ageing process while rapidly healing any injuries received.

[Vinayaka]

Originally Posted by pastrylie

Just for clarification, yes it is a fictional book. In context of the the story it would reduce the body's ageing process while rapidly healing any injuries received.

I'm also a writer, and if it were me, I'd consider several scenarios that complicate the issue. One would be from the soul's perspective, looking for bodies, so you could build in a sort of 'soul exchange' at the same time as the healing. This would accommodate and explain any incredible changes in personality of the 'cured' individual. I'd throw in a 'wizard' or Indian Guru who had the clairvoyance to see this exchange. One of the Tamil saints, Tirumular, was renowned for taking on the body of a simple cowherd. So a story within the story from the POV on the other side.

Since it's fiction, you have a lot of choice. The most obvious would be to just ignore reincarnation in the entire book.

My advice to u is that u should not worry about what affect your book will have on those of Hindu faith..You should write your book without considering the opinion of other people..make sure you follow your idea..If its a good book then all will like it and enjoy it..

[kralaro]

Originally Posted by pastrylie

Hello everyone, I am a writer doing some research for a book and had a few questions about the concepts of Reincarnation.

In the world we are building there is a new technology which makes everyone functionally immortal and this technology is thrust upon the American people as a whole.

My question is, how would this affect those of Hindu faith? Because there is a component of Reincarnation, would Hindu people be upset by the technology? What questions would this raise within the faith? How would an average Hindu person react to this technology and the idea that they would no longer be able to come into new bodies?

I don't think immortality is against reincarnation. As "reincarnation is the religious or philosophical concept that the soul or spirit, after biological death, begins a new life in a new body".

In Hinduism, Bhishma had the power to stay alive as long as he wanted. Brahmana Sudama's wife got the boon of always staying young. 5000 year old Ashwadhama is said to be still alive.

Many modern-day scientists have concluded that our universe will get dissolved and even the atoms will be ripped apart (due to the expansion of our universe); this is in agreement with Hindu belief of how the universe will end.

[kralaro]

Originally Posted by kralaro

I don't think immortality is against reincarnation. As "reincarnation is the religious or philosophical concept that the soul or spirit, after biological death, begins a new life in a new body".

Hydrogen can be burned to form water. If a sample of Hydrogen is never burned, this doesn't change the law.

Originally Posted by pastrylie

and the idea that they would no longer be able to come into new bodies?

A Hindu trying to achieve liberation, knowing that when time will come for liberation then it wouldn't matter what form of body he's having, he wouldn't be bothered. A Hindu absorbed in bhakti, knowing that whatever happens is the will of God, would also not be bothered. A Hindu believing in law of karma and doing good deeds to achieve good results should logically also not be bothered knowing that whatever long life he'll be spending on Earth, its quality will be as per his karmas. A Hindu may think that he only needs to care of his duty and not be bothered with what he receives.

[peteyzen]

if this technology existed, then it would be a huge test for the human ego, as it would not want to leave the body. having said that, the theory is that whilet in a human form, we have the opportunity to become one with god through our practice, so we could have the chance to have a real good go at getting enlightenment. once achieved, i think we would leave the body.