See, let's say I do something in this lifetime, then I get
reincarnated/ reborn in the next lifetime. My question is, why
would what I do now, influence how I will get reborn? Why can't it
be random? Why is there a relationship between what I do now and my
next rebirth?
rebirth is caused by the continuation of the mental processes of
the dead person in a new body. The new person however is not
identical to the one that left the previous body (a lot of causes
and conditions come into play to shape this new being), nor a
completely different person (because of causality relation).
"According to Buddhism, all component or conditioned things
are impermanent and in a constant state of flux. Therefore
in opposition,the existence of an unchanging and independent self,
in this world,is denied since it goes against the Buddhist
principle of selflessness (anatta). Thus Buddhists teach that a
reborn being is neither entirely different nor exactly the
same
example
Light a candle with a match, or visualise doing it. Hold the wick
directly above the lighted match, but not actually touching the
flame. Watch carefully. The wick will begin to smoke, and will then
burst into flame. Does the flame jump
from the match to the candle? Is the candle flame the same as the
flame on the match, or is it a different one? If
we describe the process
scientifically we will say that the heat from the flame on the
match vaporised some paraffin wax from the candle, and the paraffin
vapour ignited, producing a new flame. The two flames are separate
and burn from different fuels, but are causally
related.
Secondly, since there is no shared identity, why is there no
confusion and mix up?
If there is no shared identity, can it really be said that 'I' get
reborn? Because in my next life it's not me already, it's a totally
new and different entity, with no memory of past, it's a different
entity. Like ice becomes water. So is there really a rebirth?
Neither the same nor another
illustration
In the case of a pot of milk that turns first to curds, then
to butter, then to ghee; it would not be right to say that the ghee,
butter and curds were the same as the milk, but they have come from that so neither would it be
right to say that they are something else
Just as an electric light is the outward visible manifestations of
invisible electric energy, even so we are the outward
manifestations of invisible Kammic energy. The bulb may break, and
the light may be extinguished, but the current remains and the
light may be reproduced in another bulb. In the same way, the
Kammic force remains undisturbed by the disintegration of the
physical body, and the passing away of the present consciousness
leads to the arising of a fresh one in another birth. But nothing
unchangeable or permanent "passes" from the present to the
future.
illustration.
A: It is like a fire that a man might kindle and, having warmed
himself, he might leave it burning and go away. Then if that fire
were to set light to another mans field and the owner were to
seize him and accuse him before the king, and he were to say,
Your majesty, I did not set this mans
field on fire. The fire that I left burning was different to that
which burnt his field. I am not guilty. Would he deserve punishment?
B: Indeed, yes, because whatever
he might say the latter fire resulted from the former
one.
By this mind and matter deeds are done and because of those
deeds another mind and matter is reborn; but that mind and matter
is not thereby released from the results of its previous
deeds.
Also, how is it determined that the relationship is linear
or whatever it is. Why is it not random? For instance, why can't I
do something good in this lifetime but be reborn as an idiot in
next lifetime? Why cant a criminal kill many people but be reborn
as a scholar? How is it determined that good will yield good, evil
will yield evil?
Karma.There is no good or evil rather
unskillful or unwholesome action
example
If you fall down from a
tree and break your leg, it is not a matter of justice or
punishment, but simply the operation of the law of gravity, a
natural law which we all are subject to. Likewise, if
you eat good food and
remain healthy, your health is only natural, not a reward given to
you by some supreme being. Whether a supreme being exists or
not, you will remain healthy and strong if you treat yourself
properly in accordance with the law of nature. Of course, we may
refer to the broken leg as a punishment and good health as a
reward, but that is just a way of talking. The law of kamma
operates in much the same manner, the difference being that it
functions within the framework of morality, based on the principle
of cause and effect.