A mathematician or theoretical physicist might be helpful here: what are the chances of finding rebirth if it is immediate. And the classic question: what about the increasing population? Of course, we can speak of many world systems etc.

The point is the earliest statement of inmmediate rebirth is found in the Milinda Panha, not in the Suttas.

Piya

--- Gunnar Gällmo <gunnargallmo@...> wrote:

> --- dhammanando_bhikkhu <dhammanando@...>
> skrev:
>
> > The immediate
> > rebirth view (nirantaraabhava-vaada) and the
> > intermediate state view
> > (antaraabhava-vaada) are directly oposed to each
> > other
>
> They are directly opposed if generalized. They are
> logically combinable if we suppose that the process
> may be different from case to case.
>
> If this combined possibility is to be regarded as
> Theravada doctrine is, of course, a different matter.
>
> --- Piya Tan <libris@...> skrev:
>
> > Saints clearly pass away and are reborn immediately
> > (of course arhats are not reborn). However, others
> > with less wholesome habitual tendencies will hold on
> > to some familiar thoughts and places.
>
> This could perhaps also be defined as a period in
> petaloka. What would be the difference between a short
> stay there and an "intermediary state"?
>
> > Lastly, I am taking such discussions as speculative
> > as none of us here really have any experience or
> > proof of such things.
>
> Indeed. But I've met some people who can't say what
> will happen to them tomorrow, but who are absolutely
> sure what will happen to them after death.
>
> Or at least they think they are.
>
> Gunnar
>
>
>
>
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Piya Tan
Email: dharmafarer@...