An Analytical Study of Rebirth consciousness in the View of the Theravāda Buddhism

Abstract

The objectives of this article are threefold as follows: 1) to study the concept of Rebirth Consciousness in Theravāda Buddhism, 2) to study the Rebirth Consciousness in the cross-worlds perspective, and 3) to analyze the relationship among the Rebirth Consciousness with the Five Aggregates, the Three Characteristics and the Dependent Origination (Paṭicca-samuppāda). This study employed the documentary research method. The results indicated that the Rebirth Consciousness in Theravāda
Buddhism was the primary mind and the spirit that served to enlighten the six emotions, including (1) eye-consciousness, (2) ear-consciousness, (3) nose-consciousness, (4) tongue-consciousness, (5) body-consciousness, and (6) mind-consciousness. It was an important element that made life- the Five Aggregates, grow completely. They have eight main functions, that are, (1) functioning to perceive or to enlighten an emotional conscience or mind consciousness, called Mano-viññāṇa, (2) eye consciousness, called Cakṣu-viññāṇa, (3) ear consciousness, called Sota-viññāṇa, (4) nose consciousness, called Ghāna-viññāṇa, (5) tongue consciousness, called Jivhā-viññāṇa, (6) body-consciousness, called Kāya-viññāṇa, (7) functioning to move from the old world or death-consciousness, called Cuticitta, and (8) functioning to be born in a new world, called Paṭisan-dhicita. These processes were evident in cross-worlds phenomenon in accordance with the Dependent Origination and they were under the rules of the Three Characteristics
(Ti-lakkhana); impermanence (Aniccatā), state of suffering (Dukkhatā), and soullessness (Anattatā). Life was cycled like a wheel until the Nirvana was attained where the wheel of rejection was completely cut off.