[Buddha-l] rebirth

[Mike Austin]

In message <43DCA29C.1000809 at nerim.net>, Joy Vriens 
<joy.vriens at nerim.net> writes
>
>Yes, it can be useful to think about it, because it can offer a 
>different perspective. But I don't think one can say that rebirth is a 
>teaching by the Buddha or that the Buddha taught rebirth. He certainly 
>used it in his teachings, but he didn't specifically teach it as far as 
>I know. He simply didn't need to. E.g. he didn't "teach" the existence 
>of gods either. These things were taking for granted by many, or didn't 
>need to be taught. They are not specific to Buddhism either. I am not 
>saying they are or aren't necessary in order to practise Buddhism "properly".

Hmm. Then one wonders what constitutes a teaching of the Buddha, for the 
Buddha used concepts that tend to the truth.  Nowhere could his words be 
taken as 'the truth' as they stand. So is rebirth any different from the 
other 'teachings' in this respect?

-- 
Metta
Mike Austin