reincarnation

Everyday

1. Reincarnation is the belief that after a person or animal dies, their soul is born again in a new body. tree →
2. A reincarnation is the new life or new person someone is believed to have become. tree →
3. (informal) A reincarnation can be a new version of an old thing, like an old song made new. tree →

In the lessons

In religious education, reincarnation is taught as a belief in Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism: for example, Hindus believe the soul (atman) is reborn many times and that karma affects the next life. Christians believe in resurrection and eternal life, not reincarnation. In stories and films, characters may claim to remember past lives. Phrases: "believe in reincarnation", "the cycle of reincarnation", "a past life".

Examples

• Hindus and Buddhists believe in reincarnation. tree →
• In RE we learned that reincarnation means the soul is born again in a new body. tree →
• Some people believe the Dalai Lama is the reincarnation of the one before him. tree →
• My friend joked that her cat is the reincarnation of a grumpy old king. tree →
• Christians believe in resurrection rather than reincarnation. tree →
• The new film is a reincarnation of an old cartoon. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable for the belief; countable for one new life. Verb: reincarnate; adjective: reincarnated. It is a belief, not a scientific fact, so in writing say "Hindus believe …". Do not confuse with "resurrection", rising from death in the same (changed) body, which Christians believe happened to Jesus.