Reincarnation, Transmigration, and Eternal Progression

I. Tentative Title I propose to title my thesis, “A Comparative Study of the Doctrines of Reincarnation and Eternal Progression.” II. The Research Problem A common criticism of Mormonism is that it is not a Christian religion, in the sense that Protestant, Catholic, and other similar churches are. One of the main arguments supporting this is the Mormon doctrine that we all lived prior to coming to earth and that we will all continue living after our time on earth, in a specific, individual, and ever-progressing way. This research will examine similarities in the doctrine of multiple phases of existence between Mormonism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. (It should be noted that in Islam, the Qur’an also teaches of a premortal existence , however, this is outside the scope of this research.) Specifically, this research aims to answer the following hypothesis: Can existing similarities between Mormonism, Hinduism, and Buddhism be used to increase further exchange of cultural and religious beliefs? What historical, scriptural, or geographical documents indicate cultural exchanges occurred anciently? To test this hypothesis I will be using the following sources: interviews with leaders and modern day followers of each religion, primary scriptures from each religion, peer-reviewed research articles regarding such cultural interchange anciently, and non-religious historical texts of antiquity. It is anticipated that this research will increase awareness of the origins of the multiple phases of existence doctrine in Mormonism. Another goal of this research is to contribute to provide to those who study comparative religions at least a basic outline for comparison between the three subject religions. III. List of Terms LDS/Mormonism- Buddhism- Hinduism- Holy Bible- Book of Mormon- Doctrine and Covenants- Pearl of Great Price- Pali Cannon- (Hindu scripture)- Reincarnation- Eternal Progression- Prophet (LDS)- Buddha- Nirvana- Exaltation (LDS)- IV. Background and Review of the Literature Mormonism posits that a recurring cycle of God revealing the fullness of the gospel to prophets and people rejecting those truths, has occurred from the time of Adam and Eve up until the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith, whom God restored the complete gospel through. “the Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and Book of Mormon, and in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s statements in History of the Church and other writings… teach that Adam and Eve were majestic and glorious forebears and that they were taught the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ ‘from the beginning’ (Moses 5:58).” This research consists of three parts: the first will be a list of journeys as found in the primary scriptures of each religion; the second part will be a discussion of salient similarities in belief and practice among the four religions; and the third part will present a summarized timeline from approximately 3000 BCE through 2000 CE, which will include suggested period of global cognitive disruptions. Before the journeys and similairites are discussed, a word on timelines is necessary. As Gavin Flood’s Introduction to Hinduism suggests, this research will also adhere to “…Frauwallner and Halbfass (who suggest that) “the history of Indian philosophy can be broken down into the following broad periods: 1. Presystematic thought in the Vedas, Upanishads, Epics, and early Buddhist texts; (This time period would be the time before approximately 600 BCE, encompassing the Ancient (2900-1900 BCE), Classical (1900 BCE – 600 BCE) periods of world history. This era would include the time of Abraham, Moses, and many other old Testament prophets. This period would conclude when Vedic Brahmanism became what we know today as Hinduism, around the time Jainism, Buddhism, and Lehi (whose journey begins the Book of Mormon), and Jerusalem was destroyed and taken into Babylonian captivity, around the time of the Old Testament prophets Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Daniel, Joel, and Obadiah)). 2. The classical systems of speculation in Hinduism, (Theravada) Buddhism, and Jainism; (This period is roughly equivalent with the Medieval period of world history (600 BCE – 600 CE) and includes the time when Buddhism spread and Nichiren, Zen, and Mahayana forms of Buddhism started, Hinduism responded to that growth, Lehi’s posterity in South America flourished and divided into two groups, the Nephites and the Lamanites, with the latter ultimately destroying the former group around 420 CE.) 3. The theologies of the theistic schools of the Vaisnavas and Saivas, which become important during the second millennium CE (or from about the year 1000 to 2000 CE, comprising approximately the Post-Medieval (600 CE – 1200 CE), and Modern (1200 CE – 2000 CE) periods of world history); 4. Modern Indian philosophy in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries which responds to western philosophy. The flowering of Hindu philosophy and theology occurs between the seventh and seventeenth centuries CE(.)” Some claim that Hinduism “is ahistorical and sees time as cyclic rather than linear, which has militated against the keeping of accurate historical records.” However, this ahistorical perception of time is echoed not only in the Old Testament of the Bible but throughout the Book of Mormon as well, as kingdom after kingdom goes through the following four cyclical phases, in this order: righteousness and prosperity; pride and wickedness; destruction and suffering; and humility and repentance. The following is a non-exhaustive list of some of the journeys where cultural-religious-philosophical interchange likely occurred: 1. Abraham went from Ur to Egypt where some scholars claim he healed Pharaoh by the laying on of hands, and taught the Egyptians astronomy and cosmology. “Genesis Apocryphon recounts a healing by the laying on of hands, and we can substantiate from other sources that this was well within Abraham's right and power. Hence the healing scene may well be an authentic story antedating the introduction of the Mosaic Law. In Galatians 3:8, Paul affirms that the gospel was taught to Abraham, and we know that Melchizedek ordained Abraham. The order of the Priesthood Abraham held--sufficient for exaltation--includes the keys of such spiritual blessings as the healing of the sick. So it was within Abraham's right to perform such a miracle--provided that he had already received the Priesthood prior to entering Egypt.” 2. “(S)cholars have regularly condemned Josephus and Eupolemus for claiming that Abraham taught the Egyptians astronomy. Nevertheless the cosmology of the Pearl of Great Price indicates just such a possibility, particularly since Abraham interrupts the Egypt sojourn account to relate how, through the Urim and Thummin (Abraham 3:1) and the "records of the fathers" (Abraham 1:31), he learned of the universe and the creation. We may assume that after concluding the creation account and possibly a brief sketch of the earlier dispensations he continued his personal history. One other thing is relevant: Facsimile No. 3 notes that Abraham is sitting on Pharaoh's throne, with the consent of Pharaoh, teaching the Egyptians astronomy! [Times and Seasons, Vol. 3, No. 14 (Whole Number 50; May 16, 1842), pp. 783-84.]”[2]  “Red Line: Abram's travels from Ur to Haran in 1905 B.C.  Red Dashed Line: Abraham's journey from an area between Bethel and Ai to Egypt.  Yellow Line: Route Jacob takes to Haran in order to avoid being killed by his brother Esau (Genesis 27).  Green Line: Route Abraham's servant Eliezer takes to Haran in order to find a wife for Isaac. (Genesis 24)” 3. The Book of Mormon account of the journey of the Jaredites (circa 2200 BC) from the Middle East to Meso-America, is another example of journey where much cultural exchange occurred. At the time of the Tower of Babel, the Jaredites were led from the tower of Babel, currently believed to be located in the “Upper Khabur River triangle, not far from Tell Brak, which is the missing city of Akkad,”[3] to Meso-America. Dr. Hugh Nibley has suggested that these Jaredites followed the ancient trading route known as the Silk Road.[4] This journey would have taken them from the Tower of Babel to China, and from China to Meso-America. This would have taken them many years and possible more than a decade to accomplish. This also would have provided the Jaredites with over 4,400 miles, before the sea voyage, with which to interact with existing Hindu and Buddhist cultures. (Provided courtesy of the Silk Road Project: http://www.silkroadproject.org/tabid/177/defaul.aspx) 4. When the prophet-patriarch Lehi and his family and their wives left Jerusalem (circa 600 BC) to escape religious persecution via the Frankincense Trail,[5] this journey provided them with thousands of miles, before sailing from Arabia to South America, with which to interact with existing Arabian and Hindu cultures. It is even possible that Lehi’s group and Siddhārtha Gautama Buddha, who is said to have lived in Kapilavastu (Eastern India near modern day Calcutta and the Bangladeshi border) from the age of 17 to 46, crossed paths. The ocean voyage of Lehi’s group would have required frequent visits to the shore, including trading posts. Dr. John L. Sorenson has suggested that, after travelling through Arabia to (Wadi Sayq and Khor Rori in the Dhofar region of Oman),[6] the group followed the routes taken by ancient Arab sailors and followed the coast of India, where they would have had to go ashore, trade, restock, and interact further with the native people. Others have suggested that the Jaredites also took a similar route. 5. Mulekites: “Zedekiah, the brother of Jehoiakim and the grandson of righteous King Josiah, was only twenty-one years old when he began his reign. Nebuchadnezzar was not a brutal conqueror and was willing to give Jerusalem every opportunity to prove their loyalty to his empire.” But Zedekiah was a weak leader, constantly influenced by anti-Babylonian factions in Jerusalem. These nationalistic leaders seemed to have made only a superficial covenant with Nebuchadnezzar, for in 593 B.C., shortly after the Babylonian armies had departed, ambassadors from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Tyre, and Sidon came to Jerusalem to plan a rebellion against Babylon. Zedekiah listened to these ill-informed friends and attempted to rebel against Babylon in 588 B.C.”[7] One of his sons, Mulek, escaped with a group of people who were led through the wilderness and across the great waters, to Meso-America. 6. Islamic and Jewish traditions support the theory that claims Jesus spent many years, between the ages of 12 and 30, traveling through Asia and studying with Hindu and Buddhist spiritual leaders and teachers.[9] One theory proposes that he did so to return the favor to the magi who visited him after his birth. There is “a tradition in the ancient Silk Road city of Taxila (near Islamabad in Pakistan) that one of the Magi passed through the city on the way to Bethlehem.” Further, one “Armenian tradition identif(ies) the 'Magi of Bethlehem' as Balthasar of Arabia, Melchior of Persia and Gaspar of India.” Bible historians Chuck Missler and John of Hildesheim have also written about this tradition. Some of these theories have been discredited by some and further verified by others, as romantically documented in “The Lost Years of Jesus: Documentary Evidence of Jesus' 17-Year Journey to the East.” This theory helps explain why the Disciple Thomas spent about 20 years preaching Jesus’ gospel in India, after 33AD. 7. Spencer J. Palmer, former Ambassador-at-large for the LDS Church, researched the possibility of the Resurrected Savior visiting Japan.[10] Mormonism believes that the Savior preached his gospel to “other sheep which are not of this (Palestinian) fold,” including ancient inhabitants of the Americas. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also believes that the Savior preached his gospel to the 10 lost tribes of Israel, which might explain his theoretical or supposed visits to parts of Asia. 8. Islamic and Christian traditions posit that the Disciples Matthew and Andrew preached in and on their trip toward Ethiopia. LDS scholars have suggested that the founder of Mormonism drew on the religious practices of local congregations, including Baptists, Catholics, and Protestants. This theory is extended to the people of the Book of Mormon, who likely drew on the neighboring religious practices of the Olmecs, Mayans, and other indigenous people in Middle and South America. What historical documents suggest this practice of drawing on local customs occurred in during journeys and treks of groups of people described in the Book of Mormon? II. Salient Similarities in Belief The second part of my research will review salient similarities in belief amongst the four subject religions. This list of similarities will be added onto as the research progresses but for now it is comprised of the following: multiple phases of existence and eternal progression, a belief in many holy texts, Prophets/Seers/Great Philosophers, instauration, meditation/prayer, fasting, marriage (singular and plural), and temples. Multiple Phases of Existence The three subject philosophies, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Mormonism, believe in that all plants, animals, and humans had and will have free agency or the ability to choose throughout multiple phases of existence, including a pre-mortal or pre-earth life period and a post-mortal existence. These pre- and post-earth life periods are believed to progress “without beginning of days nor end of years.” Or in other words, “before every yesterday there was another yesterday and after every tomorrow there will be another tomorrow.” Mormonism teaches that we existed as “intelligences” prior to being created spiritually by God. After being created spiritually, two-thirds of the beings present accepted the plan of salvation/plan of happiness God presented and chose to come to earth at appointed times. One-third of those present did not support God’s plan and chose instead to follow Satan; they were then sent to earth without physical bodies, having failed the test of their “first estate.” The “second estate” is considered to be our time on earth, when we must walk by faith, having passed through a veil of forgetfulness. After death, we remain on earth which we can then see as it really is, also known as the “Spirit World,” separated into paradise and prison where the truth is declared to those who never had the chance to hear it. After a certain amount of time, the final judgment arrives, where everyone who came to earth will be judged according to the things they did while on earth. This final judgment determines what kingdom people inherit for all eternity. The Celestial Kingdom which is divided into three levels is the highest kingdom and that is where God and Jesus Christ dwell. The Terrestrial Kingdom is the second kingdom for (D&C reference) and the Telestial Kingdom is the lowest kingdom of glory though still considered heaven. Both Mormonism and Islam believe that in the afterlife will include eternal marriage and eternal procreation, as the faithful learn and progress, step by step, grace for grace, etc. Hindu and Buddhist practitioners also believe that all of us existed before this life and that we will continue on the cycle fo rebirths until we eventually reach nirvana and are released from the cycle. Like Mormons, Buddhists and Hindus believe plants and animals have spirits and are here on earth for specific purposes, or to “fulfill the measure of their creation.” The endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth which comprises the Hindu and Buddhist pattern of reincarnation is not a cycle we are able to escape on our own. Only when we reach enlightenment, nirvana, moksha, etc. we are freed from endless rebirth. In Mormonism, every plant, animal, and human existed with no specific beginning point as an eternal entity known as an “intelligence,” before being born to Heavenly Parents and being thus organized into a spirit body, which is in the same manner, form and fashion as our mortal, physical body. Those of us who kept our “first estate,” or in other words, those of us who chose to follow Jesus Christ, were sent to earth in the time and place Heavenly Father. We prepared for our time on earth, premortally and “(f)or nearly six thousand years, God has held (today’s generation) in reserve to make (their) appearance in the final days before the Second Coming. Every previous gospel dispensation has drifted into apostasy, but ours will not...God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly. And that is where (today’s generation) come(s) in, for (they) are the generation that must be prepared to meet (our) God(.)" At death, our spirit leaves our body and waits for the Savior’s Second Coming. After that, our spirit and our bodies will be reunited in eternal form, and this will apply to everyone who came to earth due to Christ’s Atonement. If we accepted Jesus’ gospel and kept the covenants we made with Heavenly Father during mortality, we will be given grace and will be allowed to live with Him and Christ forever. In Mormonism exaltation is not possible without a spouse, and with a spouse who has been faithful to the gospel, man and woman are allowed to procreate eternally and send spirit bodies to other worlds. By doing this, that couple would add to the glory of Heavenly Father and Jesus. So while the LDS faith supports the idea that we are all children of God, that does not mean we will replace him or exceed Him in the eternities; it means that as one grows and progresses eternally, further glory is given to our Heavenly Parents. Dieties In general, Buddhists believe in 18 Deities, while Hindus believe in 330,000. Mormonism believes that Jesus Christ is “the light and life of the world,” and that, “no man cometh unto the Father but by (Jesus).” At the same time, Mormons do not believe that God the Father “never had the power to create the spirit of man at all. God himself could not create himself.” Or in other words, “As God is now man once was and as God is now man may become.” V. Research Methodology & Design After the primary holy texts of each belief system are reviewed, interviews will be established with knowledgeable practitioners and further clarification obtained via interviews. These interviews will assist in clarifying any spiritual terms that appear comparable to those of Mormonism, but in reality are not analogous. These interviews will include, but won’t be limited to questions such as:  “Does it seem like these principles (eternal progression and reincarnation) are similar or comparable?”  “What aspects of Hinduism/Buddhism/Mormonism make eternal progression and reincarnation different, incomparable, and not analogous?”  “What is your opinion on whether ancient peoples of each belief system met or traded with each other and/or interchanged some of their respective cultures’ ideas?” VI. Assumptions and Limitations of Research The two main assumptions of this research are: 1. A large assumption of this research is that the doctrines of reincarnation and eternal progression are, in fact, comparable. This interpretation may not be widespread nor accepted in the comparative religion area of academia and research. 2. This research takes the position that all truth was taught to Adam and Eve, who then taught their children. As the population grew and their posterity spread over all the earth, different groups began adding and taking away different perspectives on the truth their ancestors taught. To some, this foreshadows the great apostasy as documented in the New Testament of the Bible. Four main limitations are: 1. This research will not provide an in-depth analysis of Islam, Daoism, Shamanism, Jainism, Sikhism nor any other of the major Eastern religions. In each of these excluded belief systems additional insight to the similarity between reincarnation and Mormonism’s principle of eternal progression is likely to be found. 2. There are many different branches of Buddhism and Hinduism that this research will not examine, as the main divisions of each religion are adequate. 3. This research will note the differences between the subject belief systems, however, emphasis will be placed on existing similarities between the sample population. 4. Regardless of the amount of existing peer-reviewed literature, any interaction between ancient followers of each faith will be somewhat speculative. VII. Tentative Schedule Initial Submission of proposal………………………………..…….………………..May 10, 2013 Proposal returned for revisions…................................................................................May 30, 2013 Submission of second draft of proposal………………………..…………………... June 30, 2013 Proposal accepted by research advisor…………………………….....………………July 15, 2013 Thesis director agrees to serve……………….……………….…………………... August 1, 2013 First draft of key chapters completed…………………………………….………August 30, 2013 Thesis director returns corrected first draft…………………………………....September 30, 2013 Revised draft completed………………………………………………….……....October 30, 2013 Thesis director returns revised draft………………………………...…………December 15, 2013 Final text to thesis advisor, research advisor……………………………………February 27, 2014 Final text approved……………………………………….…………………………April 30, 2014 Bound copy delivered to Extension School……………………………….……........June 30, 2014 VII. Working Bibliography Works Cited – add a brief summary of each- 1 to 2 paragraphs J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Long-term Capital Market Return Assumptions: 2012 estimates and the thinking behind the numbers. See the graph on the top of page 7 here: http://www.seasholes.com/files/JPM_Long-term_Cap_Mkt_Assumptions_2012.pdf Dipasquale, D. and W. Wheaton, The Cost of Capital, Tax Reform and the Future of Rental Housing, Journal of Urban Economics, 1992, 31:3, 337-59. Knight Frank’s Residential Research: Asia-Pacific Residential Review of October 2012, Figure 2. McIlwain, J. 2003. “Housing for Moderate-Income Households in the European Union and the United States,” ULI Land Use Policy Forum Report. Urban Land Institute Works Consulted Baldwin, Richard, and Paul R. Krugman. 1986. “Persistent Trade Effects of Large Exchange Rate Shocks.” Unpublished. Baran, Paul A. 1967. The Political Economy of Growth. New York: Monthly Review Press. Blackley, D., The Long Run Elasticity of New Housing Supply in the U.S., Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, 1999, 18:1, 25-42. Christensen, Clayton M. “The Innovator’s Dilemma” Collins Business Essentials 2000 Whitman, Marina V. N. 1977. Sustaining the International Economic System: Issues for U.S. Policy. Essays in Internationals Finance, No. 121, International. Finance Section, Department of Economics, Princeton University. Works To Be Consulted Stolar, Alexander William. "Halting reactor transfers: can trade expectations explain the willingness of nuclear suppliers to export reactors?" Journal of Conflict Resolution (2005). Appendix 1 “Explanation 1. Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh’s throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven; with the scepter of justice and judgment in his hand. 2. King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head. 3. Signifies Abraham in Egypt as given also in Figure 10 of Facsimile No. 1. 4. Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above the hand. 5. Shulem, one of the king’s principal waiters, as represented by the characters above his hand. 6. Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince. Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy, in the king’s court”. (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/abr/fac-3?lang=eng) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clash_of_Civilizations#Core_state_and_fault_line_conflicts Habermehl, Anne. “Where in the World is the Tower of Babel?” Answers Research Journal 4:25-53. 2011 Brown, S. Kent. Johnson, Peter. “Journey of Faith: From Jerusalem to the Promised Land.” Deseret Book 2006 http://www.bmaf.org/node/201 Reynolds, Noel B. “Lehi’s Arabian Journey Updated.” Brigham Young University - Neal A. Maxwell Institue for Religious Scholarship: http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/books/?bookid=41&chapid=195 (See F. J. Foakes and D. D. Jackson, The Biblical History of the Jews, Cambridge: W. Heffe and Son L.T.D., 1917, p. 322.) Garth A. Wilson, “The Mulekites,” Ensign, Mar 1987, pg. 60 The Bible in the Armenian tradition By Vrej Nersessian, British Library "Who Were the Magi? We Three Kings? - Chuck Missler - Koinonia House". Khouse.org. Retrieved 2012-01-12. Historia Trium Regum (History of the ThreeKings) by John of Hildesheim (1364–1375) Prophet, Elizabeth C. The Lost Years of Jesus: Documentary Evidence of Jesus' 17-Year Journey to the East Summit University Press, 1997.