Wouldn't it depend on whether those memories were binding...
For memories to come into existence within a mind (gross or subtle), the mind must be composite, changing, and transitory. It is clear how memories can persist (however imperfectly) in the gross mind during the life of a single individual. But I am unclear on the mechanism by which the subtle mind can carry-over memories (or even itself) from one lifetime to the next.
or whether they were really just part of a general enlightenment, and connection with the great consciousness of past, present, future?
My understanding of the "great consciousness" is that it is without content. Is this not true?
Buddha once told a parable:
Once there lived a wealthy man whose house caught on fire. The man was away from home and when he came back, he found that his children were so absorbed in play, had not noticed the fire and were still inside the house. The father screamed "Get out, children! Come out of the house! Hurry!" But the children would not heed him.
The anxious father shouted again, "Children, I have some wonderful toys here; come out of the house and get them!"
Heeding his cry this time, the children ran out of the burning house.
The moral of the story was, of course, that Buddha might tell you a "compassionate lie" to spur you into the correct course of action.
Maybe a continued identity beyond physical death was one of those compassionate lies?
Thanks for responding. |
