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KARMA AND REINCARNATION
Pythagoras and others obtained their belief in metempsychosis from India only. Pythagoras who flourished in the sixth century also taught a doctrine of transmigration; and, curiously enough, prescribed abstinence from the eating of flesh.
The suckling of a child and the act of swimming of a duckling--these instinctive acts are proofs of memory which must be the result of their corresponding and inseparable impressions left by the same acts in a previous incarnation, never mind when and where. Every act leaves Samskaras in the Chitta, which causes memory. Memory in its own turn leads to fresh actions and fresh impressions. This cycle or Chakrika goes on from eternity like the analogy of the seed and tree.
There is no beginning for them, the desire to live being eternal, 'for them', i e., for the desires. Desires have no beginning or end, every being has clinging to this physical life (Abhinivesa). This "will to live" is eternal. Experiences are also without beginning. You cannot think of a time when this feeling of *Aham' or 'I' has not existed. This 'l' exists continuously without interruption. From this we can very easily infer that there have been previous births for us.
Now, could there be fear of death to avoid pain in any being who has only been born, if he has had no experience of liability to death, it being understood that desire to avoid anything is only caused by
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