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Origen of Alexandria: Difference between revisions
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=== Karma and reincarnation === | === Karma and reincarnation === | ||
Since many of Origen’s writings were destroyed and the rest heavily edited, scholars debate whether he actually taught reincarnation. Some say he merely taught preexistence, that the soul existed before the body. But in Origen’s day, preexistence and reincarnation were inseparable. Although in one case Origen denies reincarnation, we must take his single denial in the context of his other writings, the times in which he lived and his deliberate practice of secrecy. For Origen, reincarnation was part of the whole scheme of salvation—salvation based on individual effort, the soul’s relationship to the God within, leading ultimately to union with God. | Since many of Origen’s writings were destroyed and the rest heavily edited, scholars debate whether he actually taught [[reincarnation]]. Some say he merely taught preexistence, that the soul existed before the body. But in Origen’s day, preexistence and reincarnation were inseparable. Although in one case Origen denies reincarnation, we must take his single denial in the context of his other writings, the times in which he lived and his deliberate practice of secrecy. For Origen, reincarnation was part of the whole scheme of salvation—salvation based on individual effort, the soul’s relationship to the God within, leading ultimately to union with God. | ||
If Origen had rejected reincarnation, he would have had to argue that position coherently for his educated audience because many of them, being Neoplatonists and Gnostics, held the belief. But there is no record of his doing this. Instead, he persistently asks whether actions in previous existences are the cause of people’s present troubles. | If Origen had rejected reincarnation, he would have had to argue that position coherently for his educated audience because many of them, being Neoplatonists and Gnostics, held the belief. But there is no record of his doing this. Instead, he persistently asks whether actions in previous existences are the cause of people’s present troubles. | ||