Do animals reincarnate back as humans?
Dear friends around the world,
Reincarnation is a theory central to the religious practice or spiritual beliefs of millions around the world. It’s an interesting topic, so I am always looking out for articles to share with all of you, and this one is interesting indeed. We often hear stories of people remembering their past lives, but usually they tell of previous lives as humans. In some cases however, there are instances in which a person remembers stories of their past life as animal.
In the article below, the story is told of a young boy who remarkably remembers his past life which was a snake. Whereas such stories are rare, it goes to show that reincarnation does exist. Please take a read, and open your mind to the theory of reincarnation. When we realise that we have been born countless times, in various human and non-human forms we can begin to develop compassion within our minds and appreciate all forms of life to a greater degree. This leads to a harmonious relationship with various sentient beings, and the environment in which we all live.
Although, at the end of the article, after questioning a spirit guide who channelled through a medium, the conclusion was made that about the boy and his previous life as a snake. The explanation is interesting. But I will let you read and find out.
Animals can become human again and vice versa after death. We take repetitive rebirths due to karma, instinct, imprint and ego. When we hold on to a strong sense of ego, then we generate karma. Karma from actions of body, speech and mind propel us to endlessly take rebirth in myriads of places in order to continue to ‘satisfy’ the ego. The dichotomy is the ego can never be satisfied and continues creating karma to take rebirth in samsara. Many lifetimes can be with or without sufferings, it is just which karma we have triggered open. But for sure samsara is not a safe place to be. In fact, there are six realms we can reincarnate into within samsara and repetitively also. Samsara is not just planet earth, but planet earth is a speck within samsara. The sages of the past compassionately advised through spiritual means to remove the ego as we know it to end existence within samsara that is bound to sufferings repetitively. Nothing else can really explain suffering in our lives better if you think about it.
The second part of this article shares another interesting topic: animal telepathy and remote viewing. I hope you enjoy reading this article. I like studies of this nature tremendously. Thank you.
Tsem Rinpoche
Do We Reincarnate as Animals?
Interpretation of the Dalawong Case: A Thai Boy with a Snake Past Life
Animal Telepathy & Remote Viewing: A Medical Doctor’s Experience
Walter Semkiw, MD
In my work with Kevin Ryerson, Ahtun Re, a spirit guide channeled through Kevin Ryerson, has always stated that human beings do not reincarnate as animals. This subject is addressed in my book Origin of the Soul and the Purpose of Reincarnation, which consists of my dialogues with Ahtun Re.
Spirit Beings in Reincarnation Cases
Reports of spirit being involvement in reincarnation cases are frequent, including in cases researched by Ian Stevenson, MD at the University of Virginia. I have had the opportunity to work directly with a very intelligent spirit being in Ahtun Re, who is channelled through world famous trance medium Kevin Ryerson, on a monthly basis since 2001. Though I was skeptical at first, I came to the conclusion that Ahtun Re truly is a discarnate spirit being separate from the consciousness of Kevin Ryerson, primarily due to Ahtun Re’s encyclopedic range of knowledge, which I consistently found to be accurate, and an ability to make what I have assessed to be accurate past life identifications. In contrast, Kevin Ryerson does not have an encyclopedic scope of knowledge and neither do I.
Ahtun Re’s personality, sense of humor, voice and accent are also different from Kevin’s, so much so that when Kevin channels Ahtun Re, it seems as if another person has taken Kevin’s place.
Let me now share insights on the idea of animal incarnation based on a reported case, a telepathic experience I had with a squirrel and comments on these matters from Ahtun Re.
Return to Life, Extraordinary Cases of Children Who Remember Past Lives, by Jim Tucker, MD
Jim Tucker, MD has taken over for the late Ian Stevenson, MD at the University of Virginia. Dr. Stevenson was a pioneer in research that provides objective evidence of reincarnation, whose work primarily involved children who had spontaneous past life memories that could be validated. Dr. Tucker had a book published in 2013 entitled Return to Life, which I recommend. In it, he includes an unusual case in which a child claimed to have memories of being a snake in a past lifetime. After reviewing this story, I revisited the issue of animal incarnation, which made me also reflect on an unusual telepathic experience I have had with a squirrel. Yes, I know, it sounds odd, but it is true.
Animal Reincarnation and Hinduism
I believe the observation that human beings can have telepathic connections and communications with animals can explain why some people and religions, such as the Hindu faith, proclaim that humans can reincarnate as animals. First let us review the snake incarnation case published in Dr. Tucker’s book.(1)
Dalawong: A Child Recalls a Past Life as a Cobra in Thailand
This case was actually researched by the late Francis Story, a British citizen who was fascinated with Buddhism and spent many years in Asia. He was also very interested in the topic of reincarnation and assisted Dr. Stevenson in investigating a number of very important reincarnation cases in Burma and Sri Lanka. Francis interviewed the subject of this case, a Thai boy named Dalowong, along with his father, mother and sister. He also had access to a pamphlet that was previously published regarding the case, which was also summarized in an article in the Bangkok Times.
Dalawong actually claimed two past animal incarnations. He recalled a past lifetime as a deer, which he said was killed by a hunter. Subsequently, he stated he was reincarnated as a snake, more specifically, as a cobra.
Reported Past Life Memories: Mr. Hiew’s Dogs attack Dalawong, as a Snake, in a Cave
As the snake, Dalawong remembered that he was in a cave when two dogs entered and attacked him. A ferocious struggle ensued between the cobra and the dogs. The owner of the dogs then entered the cave and killed the snake. Apparently, the snake was able to bite the human invader on the shoulder, prior to succumbing to death.
The human took the cobra’s body back home, where the snake was cooked for a meal. This man shared the snake meat with an acquaintance, who would become Dalawong’s father in the near future. The man who killed the cobra had the name Mr. Hiew.
As a Spirit Being, Dalawong follows Mr. Hiew to his Home & Chooses his Future Human Parents
After being killed as a snake, according to Dalawong, he as a spirit being, followed his snake body and witnessed Mr. Hiew and his future father eating the snake meat. Apparently this meal took place at the residence of Mr. Hiew. Dalawong thought that Mr. Hiew’s friend was a sympathetic soul, followed him home and entered the womb of the man’s wife. He was subsequently born as a human being, Dalawong, who was conceived shortly after the snake incident.
Dalawong recognizes his Past Life Attacker, Mr. Hiew and Seeks Revenge
When Dalawong was 3 years old, Mr. Hiew came to a party that was taking place next door to the home of Dalawong’s family. Dalawong recognized Mr. Hiew as the man who killed him as a snake during the struggle in the cave with the dogs.
Dalawong became enraged and seeking retribution, tried to find a weapon to attack Mr. Hiew, which was observed by his mother. Dalawong explained to her that Mr. Heiw killed him when he was a snake and described the incident in the cave with the dogs. When this story was related to Mr. Hiew, he confirmed that such an incident did indeed occur just as Dalowong described.
Apparent Past Life Memory: Dalawong Knows of a Snake Bite on Mr. Hiew’s Shoulder
Dalawong then touched Mr. Hiew’s left shoulder and said that Hiew had been bitten there by the snake. Mr. Hiew indeed did have a scar at that spot incurred from snakebite.
It was pointed out that neither Dalawong nor his mother had never previously met Mr. Hiew. His parents insisted that Dalawong could not have had knowledge of the incident of the snake being killed by Mr. Hiew in the cave by normal means.
Dalawong Meditates in his Snake Cave and becomes a Shaman with Ichthyosis-Snake Skin
Follow up of this case took place 20 years after this confrontation with Dr. Hiew through Jurgen Keil, another associate of Dr. Stevenson. It was found that as an adult, Dalawong would regularly visit the same cave where he claimed to have been killed as a snake, where he would meditate. Through meditation, he gleaned information on how to use herbs to heal the sick. He was recognized in local villages as a lay medical doctor or what would be called a shaman in various cultures. It was also noted that Dalawong developed a dermatologic condition called ichthyosis, which affected his legs, causing scale-like skin, somewhat like a snake’s skin. Ichthyosis is generally considered a genetic disorder.
Snake Skin-A Possible Variant of Birth Marks in Reincarnation Cases
In his reincarnation research, Ian Stevenson found that in many cases in which an individual died of a traumatic wound, such as a knife or bullet wound, in the following incarnation a birth mark or scar would be found at the same location as the traumatic wound.
Dr. Stevenson hypothesized that in some way, the mind affected the body in the next incarnation to produce these scars or birthmarks. I like to use the concept that the soul projects an energy template into the developing fetus, which produces similar facial features from one incarnation to another, a phenomenon observed in many reincarnation cases, including Ian Stevenson reincarnation cases. It is possible that the energy template underlying the physical body can be affected by traumas, such as bullet or knife wounds, and this imprint on the energy body is reflected in the physical body in a future incarnation as birth marks or scars.
Dr. Tucker pointed out that Dalawong’s ichthyosis could be considered a variant of the birthmark phenomenon in reincarnation cases.
A Medical Doctor’s Telepathic Experiences Regarding a Past Lifetime
I do not consider myself psychic, but I have had definite psychic experiences involving information that was provided to be telepathically, from unknown sources, which proved to be accurate or meaningful. Most of this telepathic information had to do with the evolution a reincarnation case of my own. It was almost as if my own soul, or perhaps a spirit being, was guiding me in the discovery of past life information and past life personal connections. These telepathic experiences are most thoroughly documented in my book, Return of the Revolutionaries, but a number of these experiences are outlined in the section: Introducing Kevin Ryerson & Ahtun Re
Psychic or telepathic guidance and reincarnation cases is common, including in many cases researched by Ian Stevenson at the University of Virginia.
Animal Telepathy: A Squirrel sends Walter a Plea for Help
Before I share this story, let me point out that I trained in psychiatry and understand very well the nature of hallucinations and delusions. Anyone who claims to get a message from a squirrel risks being labeled psychotic, but let me reassure you that throughout the years that I have received telepathic or intuitive messages, I’ve worked as a medical doctor and have functioned normally.
At the time of this incident, my wife’s father was still alive and the three of us lived together. He was a elderly widower and needed the support of my wife and I, as well extended family. I became quite fond of my father-in-law and we took many car rides together to be in nature, along the Pacific coast through the neighboring mountains. He is missed.
Squirrels in the Back Yard and on the Deck
In the house where we live, there are many trees in the backyard. Adjacent to the bedroom where my wife and I sleep, there is a deck and next to it, there is a large cypress tree which has been the home of a squirrel. I have long had a fondness for squirrels and have fed them nuts, which I place on the deck just outside the sliding glass door of our bedroom.
The neighborhood squirrels have learned that when the sliding glass door opens, they can expect a treat. They scurry onto the railings of the deck and I often talk to them in a joking fashion, saying good morning and welcoming them to breakfast, much like pet owners talk to their dogs or cats as if they were little children. I enjoy watching the squirrels standing on their haunches, holding a nut in their front paws while they nibble on their food, almost like miniature people.
Squirrel Acrobats
Some of the squirrels have become quite tame. Please don’t tell my wife, but I have even coaxed one or two into the bedroom where I would make them find nuts hidden behind my hand. I wouldn’t advise feeding them directly by hand, though, as a squirrel in its haste to obtain food can accidentally bite it’s benefactor.
I am also entertained by their acrobatics as they jump from one tree limb to another. Sometimes they even act like trapeze artists using a redwood lattice that we have in the yard to partition space. Sometimes it seems that they do these acrobatics just to show off their athleticism, as if they are aware that I am watching. I share these details so the reader understands that my involvement with our back yard squirrels has not been fleeting, but substantial.
Animal Telepathy: While at Work, Walter has a Visual Impression of a 7 Foot Squirrel in Distress
In the spring of 2013, I was working in my medical office, which is about 3 or 4 miles from our home. It was about 3:30 in the afternoon and I was doing paper work at my desk. Out of nowhere, I received a distinct visual image of a squirrel on our deck at the sliding glass door of our bedroom. What was bizarre is that the squirrel was standing up on his back legs like a human and was the size of the entire sliding glass door. In other words, this squirrel was 7 feet tall.
Though the squirrel did not speak verbally, I received a telepathic impression that it was in great distress, felt betrayed and it was communicating to me something to the effect of, “What’s going on?” It seemed to be upset and was questioning, “Why?”
Animal Telepathy: Walter Hears Himself Communicating with the Squirrel
Just after this receiving this vivid visual impression, I heard myself telepathically say to the squirrel, “Well at least she didn’t have her dogs.” I immediately knew that I was referring to my wife’s niece, who has 2 large Labrador Retrievers who can be unruly and though well meaning, due to excitement, they are aggressive in jumping on visitors.
This experience lasted only a few seconds. When it was over I thought to myself, “That was bizarre.” Though I have telepathic messages in the past, I never had a associated vivid visual image and I never expected such an experience with a squirrel. I had not been thinking of squirrels at all that day. Further, since my wife is afraid of large dogs, her niece never brings her canines to our home, so the experience seemed to make no sense at all.
I didn’t know what to make of this unusual experience, shrugged it off as a random strange incident and continued working at my desk.
Animal Telepathy: Meaning of the Squirrel Image & Experience
When I came home that evening, I discovered that my unusual telepathic visual impression of the squirrel actually had meaning. My wife’s niece had unexpectedly stopped by our home that afternoon to visit her grandfather, my wife’s father. It was a warm day and she opened the sliding glass door in our bedroom to allow air to flow through the house. She then left the bedroom to sit and converse with her grandfather in the living room.
At one point, she walked back into our bedroom and saw a squirrel at the open sliding glass door. She was unaware that I considered the squirrels pets of a sort and she did not know that I regularly fed them.
Animal Telepathy: Squirrel Attack Occurs at the Same Time Walter had the Visual Message
As she as alarmed that the squirrel was about to come into the house, my wife’s niece rapidly advanced towards the squirrel, yelling at it to chase it away. When she related these events to me and my wife, she was even proud that her repulsion of the squirrel was vigorous and aggressive, stating. “That squirrel will never come back here again.”
This attack on the squirrel happened at about 3:30, approximately the same time that I had the visual impression of the 7-foot squirrel standing at that same sliding glass door, expressing fear and betrayal.
Walter’s Animal Telepathic Message to the Squirrel & Soul Consciousness
Now I understood why during my telepathic visual experience of the squirrel, I heard myself saying to the 7-foot squirrel, “At least she doesn’t have her dogs.” As I mentioned, my niece has 2 large Labradors that can be aggressive.
What is most peculiar about this incident is that part of my consciousness was fully aware of what was going on to the extent that I could telepathically communicate back to the squirrel, “At least she doesn’t have her dogs.” Part of my consciousness was communicating back to the squirrel, which I overheard while sitting in my medical office, though in my medical office, I had no clue as to what was going on.
This demonstrates how the consciousness that we are used to on a day-to-day basis is a limited, compartmentalized awareness that is only a portion of the consciousness of the soul.
Soul Consciousness, Split Consciousness, Incarnation & Remote Viewing
This experience can be used to understand what I call split incarnation, in which one soul animates more than one body at a time. Ian Stevenson termed this phenomenon reincarnation cases with “anomalous dates,” as a previous incarnation is observed to overlap with a subsequent lifetime. In my squirrel situation, my soul was aware of what was going on in our bedroom and deck, while I was 3 or 4 miles away. My consciousness, one could say, was at two physical locations at once. One could also term my experience as a spontaneous case of Remote Viewing.
Split Incarnation, Twin Flames, Twin Souls or Parallel Lives
Just as my consciousness apparently was in two physical locations at once, the soul can split its consciousness into two physical bodies. Let me share that I have a male friend who is a very successful, retired financial executive who has identified his split, who is an accomplished businesswoman.
This occurred unexpectedly when after meeting this woman for the first time, he started experiencing her thoughts in his mind and witnessing her dreams. When these incidents occurred, my friend would contact this woman to share what he had experienced and found that she indeed was having the same thoughts and same dreams.
My friend and the businesswoman have similar facial bone structure or appearance. After reading my books, my friend hypothesized that he and this businesswoman were splits, though he preferred to use the more common New Age terms twin souls, twin flames or parallel lives. I prefer splits as one can have more than two splits, at least according to my work with Ahtun Re.
Spirit Being Ahtun Re’s Interpretation of Walter’s Telepathic Experience with a Squirrel
Subsequently, in a session with Kevin Ryerson I asked Ahtun Re for his explanation of what happened to me. Ahtun Re related that all living things are indeed interconnected and through my affectionate dealings with my backyard squirrels over the years, telepathic connections have been made.
He stated that the squirrel felt shocked and betrayed when my wife’s niece chased the squirrel away from the sliding glass door. Ahtun Re added that the squirrel perceives me as a 6-foot squirrel, something along the lines of a big papa or mama squirrel. He also noted that the squirrel is very curious as to where I keep that big stash of nuts.
Walter’s Animal Telepathy Experience & Dalawong’s Past Life as a Shaman
The way my squirrel story fits in with the Dalawong case is that I wondered whether Dalawong had some type of psychic connection with snakes in a past incarnation, which made him think that he was a snake a past lifetime. I asked Ahtun Re about this case and my theory.
Ahtun Re stated that Dalawong was not a snake in a past incarnation, but that he did have a past lifetime as a shaman who used to meditate in the very cave where Mr. Hiew killed the cobra. In this past lifetime, Dalawong did have a strong affinity for snakes and developed telepathic connections with them, as well as with other animals. After the death of this shaman, his soul continued to visit the cave where he meditated while alive.
As a Sprit Being, Dalawong Observes Mr Hiew Killing the Snake
The shaman’s soul, in spirit form, was to be present in the cave when the altercation between the snake, Mr. Hire and his dogs occurred. Perhaps the shaman’s soul was drawn to the cave by the snake, just as the squirrel telepathically appealed to me.
Through a telepathic connection, the shaman experienced what the snake experienced when being killed. The soul of the shaman followed Mr. Hiew home and witnessed him sharing the snake meat meal with Dalawong’s future father. As he liked Dalawong’s father, he decided to reincarnate as this person’s child. Dalawong, as a child, accessed memories of Mr. Hiew killing the cobra, as witnessed by his own soul in spirit form.
An error was made in that Dalawong interpreted these memories as meaning that he was the snake in a past incarnation, rather than witnessing the killing of the snake as spirit being.
Jim B. Tucker’s Interpretation of the Dalawong Reincarnation Case
Jim Tucker, MD noted that he found it difficult to accept that Dalawong had a past life as a snake, rather, he writes: “What I can consider, however, is that a consciousness was associated with the snake while also apart from it.” (2)
The proposal that Dalawong was a spirit being who was telepathically in rapport with the snake Mr. Hiew killed is one way that Dr. Tucker’s hypothesis could have been fulfilled.
Soul Plans & Repetition of Behavior through Reincarnation
Reincarnation research, including Ian Stevenson’s work, does support that souls can choose their parents. To learn more, go to: Planning of Lifetimes
In addition, reincarnation research shows that we often repeat behaviors and express similar talents from one incarnation to another.
As reported by Jurgen Keil, Dalawong, as an adult, would meditate in the very cave where the snake was killed in my Mr. Hiew, before Dalawong was born. In this cave, Dalawong would access information on herbs with medicinal effects through psychic means and he became a local medicine man or shaman.
According to Ahtun Re, Dalawong lived a similar human past lifetime in which he essentially did the same thing, meditating in the same cave, developing psychic abilities and serving as a shaman for his community. Though this proposed past life, which can explain Dalawong’s memories, cannot be validated, this sort of consistency in behavior from one lifetime to another is supported by independently researched reincarnation cases, including those studied by Ian Stevenson, MD.
Animal Telepathy: An Explanation for Animal Incarnation in the Hindu Faith
In sum, the Dalawong case, my telepathic experience with the squirrel and input from Ahtun Re may give us insight on why some people believe they may have been animals in the past lifetime, and how it has be come part of the Hindu faith. Telepathic experiences with animals, and past life memories of such experiences, can be mistakenly interpreted as animal past lives.
Due to the interconnectedness of all living things, Ahtun Re does support the Hindu practice of maintaining a vegetarian diet. I have to admit that I have not disciplined myself in this regard, though my squirrel experience makes me reflect on the issue more.
Soul Evolution & Hindu Compassion for Animals
In conclusion, in my dialogues with Ahtun Re, the purpose of reincarnation is to evolve and grow, much like a child goes through grades of school in the process of becoming a self sufficient adult. Once a certain level of development is attained, reincarnation is no longer necessary and we, as souls, continue to evolve in the spirit realm.
Ahtun Re has pointed out that a soul who has evolved through human incarnations would have little benefit by incarnating as an animal, which is driven by instincts. Ahtun Re has stated that animals have an evolutionary line of their own and pets that have developed emotional attachments to humans can reincarnated with their owners. These topics are discussed in Origin of the Soul.
The interconnectedness of all living beings has been affirmed my Ahtun Re and in a humble way has been demonstrated by my telepathic experience with a squirrel. This interconnectedness supports the Hindu precept of compassion for all living things.
Note to Readers: Ian Stevenson. MD was a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Virginia who wrote in a very academic style, as his target audience was fellow scientists. On the IISIS web site, his past life cases are presented as children reincarnation stories to make his academic work easier to understand. For those interested in appreciating the scientific rigor of his research, such as his use of multiple witnesses to establish corroborated testimony, please refer to the original reports written by Dr. Ian Stevenson.
Footnotes:
- Tucker, Jim B., Return to Life, Extraordinary Cases of Children Who Remember Past Lives, St. Martin’s Press, New York, 2013, pages 38-40
- Ibid, page 41
Source: http://www.iisis.net/index.php?page=animal-reincarnation-hindu-jim-b-tucker-return-to-life-children-remember-past-lives-walter-semkiw&hl=en_US
Three Year Old Recalls Past Life as a Snake
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Interesting read …..after reading this blog had me realised animals do reincarnate after all. Animals can become human again and vice versa after death. Just like humans, animals reincarnate as part of our soul family groups. This means the animals in our life now, have very likely been in our life before, as an animal. The true life story of a Thai boy with a snake past life tells all . The Thai boy Dalawong as a wonder spirit recognizes the cobra’s attacker is a very good life evidence of the existence of reincarnation.
Reading the topic of telepathy had me understand slightly better . According to researchers, telepathy is a non-verbal way to communicate with others. With telepathy, people communicate entirely in the mind without saying anything. Interesting. Do hope I could telepathy with my doggie.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this interesting blog.
This was a wonderful read, and very nice story with the squirrels. I hope to be able to telepathically communicate with my pet Guinea pigs one day. Thanks for sharing
According to Buddhist belief, we can take rebirth in the animal realms. Therefore, it is possible that we were an animal in our previous life. If we look at some people, their behaviours are very animal-like, this might be an indication that they were an animal in their previous life and they bring these behaviours with them into this life.
This is a proof that while we cannot bring the wealth we have accumulated with us when we die but we will bring our karmas, our habits with us when we die. Since this is the case, we shoould get rid of our bad habituation while we can and cultivate good qualities to create the cause to take rebirth in a better place.
Animals show love for humans! Cow, lions, apes, dogs, bears, parrots and more can all be very affectionate and show surprising emotions when it comes to expressing their love for people. An emotional animals hugging humans video.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1546455946.mp4
Buddhists believe in reincarnation or rebirth. As long as we are not enlightened, our conscious mind will take rebirth again and again. This is just how things work, like how the sun rises from the east.
Buddhists also believe there are 6 realms that our mind can possibly end up in. The 6 realms are the 3 upper realms which include gods, demi-gods and humans and the 3 lower realms that consist of animals, ghosts, and hells. Our karma and the last thought in our mind when we die will determine which realm we will end up in.
We may be in a human form in this life, we may also end up as an animal in our next life. Therefore, it is definitely possible that animals can take rebirth in a human form. If we observe people around us, some people behave like a certain type of animals, it could be that they were an animal in their previous life and they bring the habit with them to this life.
You guys are going to have a cute attack with these two super adorable videos of Tsem Rinpoche’s doggies Oser and Dharma.-
https://youtu.be/JX1UdH7IjQ8
And
https://youtu.be/YGD7CtNmnuI
The videos JUST came out!
Enjoy!
In Buddhism and Hinduism teaching is widely believed that Reincarnation does exist and this is a very interesting phenomena which happened to sentient beings. There are many studies and researches conducted by the Westerner on this topic which proves that reincarnation does exist. Hence, it is very important to practice Dharma and have mind transformation of body, speech and mind in human life ie by not hurting, killing, gossiping, sexual misconduct and etc. Make it a habit to change for the betterment to accumulate a vast merit until we gain Enlightenment or else we will continue to take rebirth and go through suffering again and again.
H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche loves animals and is passionate against their harm, torture, and abuse.
The few minutes a day we spend on social media creating awareness for animals who cannot speak is purely spiritual and humanistic practice because we are trying to alleviate pain from another sentient beings and that makes us more spiritual, and that makes us more spiritual and more humane.
I have always heard,and was told by old folks, monks and taoist priest since i was young that reincarnation from humans and animals and vice versa. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for this very interesting article._/\_
Dr Walter Semkiw being a scholar of science chooses to trust Ahtun Re all the way just because the deity has on ocean of knowledge and has a different personality than that of the medium. His entire belief system of how existence works is based on Ahtun Re’s explanation to him.
I am rather surprised by this because Dr Walter Semkiw doesn’t investigate into the validity of this deity’s claims. Being trained in the science field, one would find methods to prove the validity of claims made.
In Buddhism, we believe that only enlightened beings have the wisdom to fully understand the truth and have unobstructed clairvoyance.
This is such a good read! I find the Split Incarnation, Twin Flames, Twin Souls or Parallel Lives very interesting. I finally understood why some people tell me that they have this other person like a BFF that can read their thoughts, understand them very well, etc. This information proves that we are all interconnected and why we need to treat all sentient beings equally with kindness and compassion.
Thank you for this post as it answered some of the questions I had previously.
Reincarnation does exist. There are many documentaries about people who can remember their past life, parents or family members from the previous life. The scientists mentioned in the article have documented about this boy who did remember his previous life and was drawn to the cave even later in his life.
Many efforts have been done to prove scientifically that reincarnation is a fact. Buddha taught it already 2600 years ago. Because we are blessed to know the Buddhist teachings, we know that we can take rebirth in any of the six realms. The cause for us to take rebirth in a lower realm is because of our negative deeds, resp. because of our negative intentions. Good deeds with a good intention will propel us to a higher rebirth and the human rebirth is the best out of all as it allows us to become enlightened.
Thank you Rinpoche for always reminding us and sharing research about reincarnation.
Here is a list from the internet with 10 books on reincarnation:
https://exemplore.com/paranormal/10-books-about-Reincarnation
Everything in this world is possible. Science in this current era has yet to able to discover and proof the existence of everything but it doesn’t indicates that things that could not be proved are not true or will never come true.
One thing strike my thought when it comes to “Do animals reincarnate back as humans?” is they are people who look like animals. This could be an interesting entrance to the searching of truth of the questions.
Leave some space for our minds to receive more information and never say never.
Reincarnation is always a very debatable topic to discuss about, because if does happened since beginningless until today’s world. for the past many years, scientist has been doing a lot of research on this topic and trying to proved the existence of reincarnation, but it seems that they could not proved it.
In Buddhism, Buddha taught about 6 realms, God, Demi God, Human, Animal, Hungry Ghost and Hell realms, due to our desire, we keep reincarnating within this 6 reals, from God realms to Hell realms. so to me, there is no doubt that animal can reincarnate to human or even to the god realm. But well, over 2500 years ago, Buddha has mentioned about other planets in the universe besides the earth, now scientist has proved it, so it’s just the matter of time that scientist can also proved how a being can reincarnate to different realms. Hopefully by that time we are still alive to witness it. 🙂
This article is interesting discuss about reincarnation of animal incarnat as human. While to those who belive in incarnation, no surprice what form you are incarnated every life time. Important is to reliase how every single form has incarnated about totally base to own karma attract in the suffering.
Dalawong previous life story has told us
we have to treasure every incarnation form new rebirth. Do as best purify our bad karma and collecting merit. Many year ago, i met high attainment meditation tibetan lama at India. Many people has audien with him and asking him about their previous life form. The tibetan lama did the divination and answer most of people , their previous life was an animal. We must be kind to all the animal especially animal have their emotion and feeling.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. Reincarnation is always an interesting topic to discuss. Yes, it can’t be denied that many people don’t believe in reincarnation. Even some of my friends don’t. When they are asked do they believe the existence of spirit? They answered yes. When they are asked do they believe in reincarnation? They answered no. Then asked again, if there’s no reincarnation, then where do spirits come from? And where do they go if they disappear? And they kept quiet. It’s true that until now, there’s no scientific proven of reincarnation, but there are already many cases proven. Like, the child who solved his own previous life murder, the child who proved his previous life death. Besides that, he even brought his current life parents to visit his previous life brother. The reincarnation of Teresa Teng Li-Chun, a famous Taiwan singer in the 70’s, who reincarnated in Thailand, and the little girl could sing her song familiarly since she was 4 year old, and she can remember all the places she went, her favorite book, her favorite couch to sit in when reading her book, and she can sing exactly like her. All these are not scientific proven. But in Buddhism, as a Buddhist, I believe in reincarnation. There’s Buddha’s teaching about reincarnation. Buddha has already proven there’s reincarnation 2000 years ago. _/\_
Unless you believe in reincarnation, otherwise there will be no answer for “DO animals reincarnated back as human”. The same go to whatever reincarnation proof will remain as just a story if you do not believe it.
I always think along this way that if there is a reincarnation, there will be a bonus upon death which you have already prepared for it. If there is no recantation, what is wrong you prepare for it because to be reincarnated back as human there is so much Virtuous Actions to be done and this is only help you to become better and happy person, there is nothing to lose.
However also is sad to say that although we know there is a reincarnation, we did not put 100 percent effort to prepare ourselves to be reincarnated back as human.
I do not know how science will be able to prove reincarnation but definitely it will be some news for everyone because there are a fair share of people who does believe it and do not. This is will definitely cause an uproar. But how do we explain accounts from young children relating what they “recollect”from their so called previous lives? When it is not just one occasion but there were many instances of such then how do we not believe in reincarnation. Until science can prove, which I think will not be able to, reincarnation will forever subjected to debacle but for me, I believe so.
Even in 21st century, most of the Scientist are proofed that reincarnation existed, let’s bring the topic back to humans, we all are humans, but we had ours own attitude, we think differently, we even acted differently, and let’s put it the way, “we” some of the humans are born to be good in musics, good in technology stuffs, good in singing, good in drawing from their very young age? They don’t even need someone to teach all of that.
For me and the answer is : from their previous life imprint or can say those abilities inside them are from their past life.
Thank you for an informative post. Always interested to read about reincarnation posts.
I was really interested to read the part of the 7 foot squirrel and the writer’s telepathic experience. I never had one myself but to read the part of how it was interconnected was mind boggling.
I’ve not met anyone who has ‘gifts’ like telepathy nor able to remember their past lives but it would be extremely interesting to get to know one. I wonder how it feels like to be able to do past life regression hypnosis and learn more.
It is sad however, to be reborn again and again in the 6 realms and not be able to control it. No matter how we will be in the six realms until the day our practice advance and we move into a higher level and able to at least control where we want to be reborn.
It would be interesting if science could one day prove reincarnation because there is a great number of people who do not believe while there is also a great number of people who do believe. There are many signs of reincarnation spoken of from people from all walks of life and from different religious and spiritual faiths. We often hear of child prodigy, of how very young children were able to pick up music and excel in it without any formal training even though both their parents are tone deaf. Where did this ‘gift’ come from? Surely it must have been in the children’s memory or consciousness from their past lives that were triggered in their current lives, perhaps from listening to certain music they excelled in in their previous lives. Or the trigger point could be these children chanced upon musical instruments (that they excelled in in their previous lives) at their parents’ friend’s house, in music stores, or they heard familiar music being played on the radio or TV. This cannot just be labelled as a ‘gift’, it has to come from somewhere, a continuation of where a memory or consciousness left off.
What I find very different in these accounts against the Buddhist basis of reincarnation is that here, the hypothesis is that the soul or mind, chooses its parents. In Buddhist belief, the mind is subject to the throwing karma at the point of death determines where or what realm the mind reincarnates, within the 6 realms of god realm, asura realm, humans – realm, animal realm, hungry ghosts realm and the hells.
On a lighter note, if what this Ahtun Re said is true, then we need not worry that we will be thrown into the animal realm after death? One lower realm less for us to worry about?
The thing is that this article points to the belief that reincarnation exists. The mechanics of it is, as the Buddha said, not for us to know but suffice to say that reincarnation exists.
A very interesting article indeed.
I always believes in reincarnation, the account of Dalawong as a wonder spirit recognizes the cobra’s attacker is a very good life evidence of the existence of reincarnation.
In this stories, what fascinated me the most was the pet squirrel of Walter sent Telepathy for help. This means some of the animals might be born with magical powers. The incident of this squirrel makes me believes that beings like Big Foot and Mermaid might possess these powers too, and are able to hide themselves away from human hunting.
All sentient beings have their own purpose of life. The simplest purpose that takes us beyond attachment to this life is the thought to avoid rebirth in a state of “eternal sufferings”, but to attain a “rebirth in Heaven.” To achieve such a path is to observe pure morality, with the highest wisdom to be able to completely destroy the commitment of any bad Karma! Like our Rinpoche said, “It’s important we love everyone, including our animal pets, while they are alive. What makes us great humans is not how much we can hurt others, But how much we can help others always! What makes us kind humans is not how we can abuse animals and how to take care of ourselves always, but truly to take care of others and allow them to live freely and happilly. Cruel acts make us unwanted, hated and avoided. The numbness we have accumalised in hunting and eating animals meat make us “inhuman”, especially during some “Festivals” in China, India and many other countries! How can anyone ignore the pain, strife, fear and grief in another sentient being is truly abominable! Love others, love animals and love the environment. Everyone in this World need kindness, including ourselves. Help the animals, help the homeless, help the endangered species and speak up for the abused! Find a cause that benefits others and go all the way! As His Holiness, the Dalai Lama has said, “Life is as dear to a mute creature, as it is to a man, just as one wants to live
and not die, so do other creatures!” Lord Buddha’s teachings also teach us to end this cycle by renouncing our mundane lives, by working hard, striving towards enlightenment! Thank you so much Rinpoche, for sharing this beautiful article with us. Om Mani Padme Hung.
As long as we still live in samsara we will take rebirth within the six realm depending on our karma. If we believe in taking rebirth or incarnation than we should believe the mechanism of it which the cause and effect.
It’s really precious for us to be in human realm in this life time as if we take rebirth as animal it may take a long time for us to be human again depending on the karma. Just imagine if we are a snake and we only kill to fill our stomach and by killing we only create much more negative karma continuously. This is scary.
Precious our human life by collecting more merits towards meritorious act through learning the dharma. Help the animal beings as they are already at the unfortunate condition and we can help them by reciting mantra to them or bring them to circumambulate the holy object. There are many more things we can do as long as we willing to do for them. This way we can help them to plant a seed and for their future rebirth.
This is a fascinating article as we rarely heard of animals reincarnating to human being although it is possible after one has exhausted one’s karma as an animal after many aeons of suffering and development. It strongly reminds me of karma and reinforces that one should create positive karma and abandon negative ones to stop the chain of reincarnation through emotional instincts to the lower realms. And always be at all times adopt a compassionate way of life.
I love stories that bring a lot of curiosity, mysteries which link with spirituality. Reincarnation is a system that every sentient beings have to go thru after death. Getting a better rebirth was merely depended on the law of cause and effect that define the sum of a person’s action in current and previous state of existence.
Normally, many know of reincarnation of human to human form but animal to human is something new to me. Other than that, I like the subject of birth marks in reincarnation which I found it is quite true. Besides, traumatic wound that imprint into body as reflection of birth mark for incarnation, in olden days, if family members wanted to recognize the rebirth of a deceased, they will leave a mark by using black charcoal or base of wok onto the body as remembrance. The spot that chose was merely on foot print, hand or leg of the deceased.
I have always been told that when you die you return again in other forms, or perhaps stay in the formless realm as a spirit. I kind of accepted this information in a rather “neutral manner” without due consideration to myself. However when I joined Kechara and being a new member, I was under the mentorship of Henry Ooi (now Pastor Henry Ooi) he asked me whether I was concerned that I may not achieve a good rebirth. I said I did not think about that. He then explained to me that learning the Dharma is to live a life of virtues so that we may gain merits to have a good rebirth and be with the Dharma again life after life until enlightenment.
With that comment and advice from Pastor Henry, I paid attention to all the teachings of our Guru, H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche. Now having learnt more about Buddhism, I believe in rebirth and work towards a good rebirth when I end this life on earth.
This article proves to me once again there is rebirth with objective evidence from 3 learned MDs. The very tenets of Buddhism of Karma and Rebirth is beyond doubts to me.
Another evidence of the research from Dr. Ian Stevenson and Dr. Jim Tucker that had deeply impacted me is how they communicate with a spirit being, Ahtun Re via a trance medium, Kevin Ryerson and how accurate Ahtun Re had been in proving the objective evidence of the research.
The above made me reflect how in our Gelug traditions, oracles of divine protectors like Dorje Shugden will give us guidance and advices. These oracles also confirm and certify reincarnate Great Masters of our lineage.
It is a very interesting article and a must read for those in search of knowledge beyond our common ignorant minds.
Thank you Rinpoche for this article to remind us about reincarnation to/from different realms. I am not sure about others, but for myself, I can’t seem to hold the concept of reincarnation very firmly in my head, and most of the time, I act as if there is no karma and didn’t think about next life or reincarnation.
If we have countless reincarnation before, then it only make sense that we also have countless reincarnation as animals too. Just because we don’t remember we being a dog it does not we have not been one before. Also, it is taught that it is very difficult to consume all the negative karma being an animal because animal instincts is to kill and that will collect even more negative karma.
The article seems to suggest that once one is a human being, later on when at end of one’s life being born as an animal has no advantage and ‘soul’ can choose where they reincarnate and their parents. However this theory could apply to beings who continually better themselves and who are spiritual.
However if people behave by ‘instinct’ and animal like, most often worst than animals then although having found a human body, they could descent into an animal rebirth. One cannot regress animals or hypnotize them so they can reveal that they were humans from before, hence in a way there will always be more stories of a previous animal attaining a human rebirth.
Several years ago, I thought of reincarnation as a debatable subject. I believe in it, but I have never thought about it seriously. However, now I believe that the understanding of reincarnation and the fact that future lives exist is key for us to motivate us to behave with morality, care and kindness toward others because we all want to avoid suffering and to be born in a good situation in the future.
Ultimately, the study of reincarnation would motivate us to develop a distaste toward the unending cycle of births and deaths in samsara and developed a wish for us and others to end this vicious cycle. Buddha’s teachings teaches us to end this cycle by encouraging us to renounce our mundane lives and to work towards enlightenment.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. This is indeed an interesting article to read about reincarnations and past lives. Everyone has their countless lifetimes. So it is quite normal to see their behaviour from this current life is exactly the one from their previous life. Although so far I have not heard much about animal reincarnation but it do exists. As long as we are not enlighten yet, we are bound to reincarnation in either of the 6 realms of existence.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Interesting ….as a Buddhist we do believe in reincarnation.Do good ,good things will comes back to you. That is the reason as when my parents used to remind me never,never kill snakes that found at our garden.For us to have a good and swift rebirth we must do good and close to Dharma. Medicine Buddha’s practice gives us a numberuos of benefits,Recitaing of mantras blown to our pets and so forth helps them to have a good rebirth as taught by our Guru. Animals can become human again and vice versa after death So the real story of the boy killed as snake recarnate back to human and even remembered his past life .That is amazing.I do enjoyed reading other stories of inrecarnation ae well.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this interesting article.
I guess as Buddhist, it is accepted that we reincarnate. But what is fascinating about these stories is that the author recognises the demonstration of how the consciousness that we are used to on a day-to-day basis is a limited, and how they are compartmentalised awareness that is only a portion of the consciousness of the soul or we would call spirit. This what Buddhism also teaches us and meditation helps us to break from being compartmentalised.
Another interesting thing is how he discovered that one’s consciousness, could be at two physical locations at once. This is exactly how highly attained beings can manifest at their will and control. So what he says is clearly possible!
So what is great is that everything this author is saying is basically reaffirming what Buddha has taught us and that it is achievable if we practice with awareness and is considered a very small part of our attainments/side benefit when we do our retreats and meditation.
This whole blog post proves that there is such a thing as reincarnation and that it is not just a Buddhist philosophy but an actual truth. Hence, it goes to show why we should treat all sentient beings equal, as someone who has the Buddha potential, whether they are humans or animals. So we should treat our pets with much care and if we are Buddhist, always helps them to collect as much merits as possible, like what Rinpoche does for our dearest Mumu. And for a start IF we say we love animals, we should be able to stop if not cut down on eating meat!
I have always loved stories of reincarnations as they speak of ‘death is not the end’. From young I was told stories of Bodhisattva Guan Yin who father reincarnated into a cow and then a horse due to his negative karma. As signs of respect to Guan Yin, her worshippers would abstain from eating beef. So reincarnation is something I had accepted since young but had not fully comprehended. I am also fascinated by stories of persons who remember their past life with vivid descriptions and often wondered of my own. Having received the Dharma from Rinpoche, now I learnt of the role of karma in our reincarnations. I do wonder what had became of my parents and grandparents who had passed away.
As Rinpoche had taught, people could incarnate into other realms or vice versa which means animals can be humans and humans be animals. It would seem that the researchers find it hard to believe this and would theorise on close associated memories/connections but not the actual reincarnation. It was mentioned that boy Dalawong was a deer before being a snake but there was no given theory on that. If by their reasoning then the ‘Shaman’ in his past life must have also received telepathic messages from the deer and so happen to remember in the present life as Dalawong. I have read of Psychics or Mediums who wrote that people reincarnate lifetime after lifetimes to perfect what they need to accomplish. Ie. in past life a person was a Medical Doctor who wished to be a specialist but died before the dream was achieved, so in the next life he will be drawn to fulfilling that. However if he did not, then he will continue his reincarnations until he achieved it. They claimed to have received this theory from the Almighty or his Angels. But I do wonder if it is not just a feel good theory that provides the safe feeling upon death. It would be good I guess for people to have that peaceful mind at death that the next life is “better”. But it doesn’t help people to take responsibility for their harmful actions on themselves or another being. Which means that they don’t believe in the karma of retribution, ie. killing of animals may have the person reincarnating into an animal to be killed or enjoy eating meat and reincarnate into livestock animal to be killed for meat.
No doubt that it would be nice to have that good rebirth but it is solely controlled by our cultivated actions/karma towards that. It is our responsibility to be kind and helpful towards others so that at passing, these strong karmic imprints will open up and guide us to that better rebirth. Thank you Rinpoche for such an interesting article and the story of Dalawong.
This is really an interesting story about reincarnation from animals to human beings. Normally, the reincarnation we know is from human to human forms.
Dalawong’s previous life is deer and snake and now is human beings. From the description of Dalawong, we are sure that reincarnation from animals to human forms was really existed.
Thanks Rinpoche sharing this. It really open up my minds.
Jason
Humans and animals, as well as other sentient beings within the six realms of samsara, are subjected to the law of cyclic of existence. Karma or generally known as the law of cause and effect will determine where we take our next rebirth. It is extremely rare for sentient beings to take the form of a human body and in perfect condition. Hence we must not let this precious lifetime go to waste by indulging in silly actions and harmful ways. If we are born in the animals realms or lower, there is close to zero way for us to collect merits and get out of that realm.
From the stories above, I find the story about Dalawong most unusual because he seemed to be able to determine the destination of his next rebirth after he was being killed as a snake. After he took rebirth in human form, he continued to remember the incident in his past life. Amazing!
Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing these researches with us.
YES i love this thank you for your writing
Hi Bethany,
Thank you for your commment. Is this your first time visiting the blog?
If you like stories/ articles related to animals/ pets, here is another inspiring story I’d like to share with you:
Rexie: the Australian Heroine
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/animals-vegetarianism/rexie-the-australian-heroine.html
There are more stories/articles about Animals, Vegetarianism & Environment here:
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/animals-vegetarianism
If you are curious about reincarnation, there are 2 posts that you may find interesting:
Reincarnation: True or false?
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/film-tv-music/reincarnation-true-or-false.html
Reincarnation Videos YOU MUST WATCH!
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/film-tv-music/reincarnation-videos-you-must-watch.html
I hope you will find these articles helpful and hope to see more comments from you on the blog.
I am really fascinated with this article. It is really rare to find stories of those who have recollection of being an animal in a previous life. The evidence presented sounds pretty compelling but I am not too convince with this Ahtun Re spirit because I wonder if he has the clairvoyance and wisdom to debunk what the Buddha said about the 6 realms of existence.
On the fact that we don’t hear as much people claiming to be animals in the their previous lives is because once, one take an animal rebirth, it will be hundreds or thousands of lifetimes before one emerges as a human being again. Therefore, it is far rarer for animal to crossover to ta human rebirth. However, if one just took rebirth as an animal, it is likely to take rebirth as a human being if the karma is exhausted because it was not as heavy or the animal received blessings from a lama, yogi or practitioner like receiving Medicine Buddha mantras blown on the animal. Hence, it is recommended to recite mantras and blowing it on our pets, stray animals and so forth.
I am really, really piqued by this article Rinpoche and thank you. I like the idea of the person who described reincarnation or rebirth as driven or caused by an energy template.
In the science of physics, two schools of thought, those who lean on determinism and those who side on randomness have had their back and forth arguments but neither has been proven absolutely right.
But with the energy template model that describes the subject/observer/sentient being, both determinism (karmic makeup) and randomness (environment or conditions) can explain phenomenon. In this model, reincarnation is just a very logical outcome.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this interesting article , with two fascinating stories about a telepathic experience and a story of a three year old Thai boy who recalls his previous life as a snake with all the uncanny details which were affirmed as true by the players in the story.
What is remarkable about the story of the boy Dalawong who had previously been a snake and was reborn this life as a human, is that he could uncannily recall all the details of the last scene of his life – his being killed , the appearance and identity of his killer and the bite mark he had left on him.All of this was authenticated by the people present then.Hence, even though it is later explained away as a case of a rare telepathic experience, I am still of the mind that it could well be a true story of a previous incarnation as a snake and a current incarnation as a human.
According to Buddhist belief, reincarnation into any of the six realms of samsara is possible, although it is very difficult to be reborn in the human realm , after a rebirth as an animal. However, according to an article by the Science Research Foundation -“Life Before Birth- a Spiritual Perspective”
http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritual-research/afterlife/life-before-birth-conception
there are certain exceptionally rare and fortunate circumstances , when an animal can have a rebirth as a human.
No.11 ..”if an animal lives with a Saint, and the Saint makes a resolve for the animal to progress spiritually to evolve to a human form, then an animal could attain a human birth”.
It is thus possible, though rare, for an animal to evolve to human form and be reborn as human. Over and above this, the conviction that we had been born as animals and can be born as one again should make us more compassionate towards the animals around us.We cannot escape the reality that, animals or human, we are all interdependent beings.