Edited by Massimo Introvigne on behalf of CESNUR (Centre Study of New Religions)
Publisher: Effedieffe (Milan)
First published 1993
ISBN 88-85223-08-7

The idea inspiring this piece of research is the continually increasing number of people who believe in reincarnation. Concerned by statistics showing how developed the belief in reincarnation is (one in five Europeans consider reincarnation as being possible), CESNUR recruited a group of academics to study and analyse this phenomena from various angles.

The book itself is divided into five sections, each part written by a different scholar with expertise in a particular subject. In his Introduction, Massimo Introvigne describes the historical development in Europe of belief in reincarnation, specifically highlighting the Western approach and how the model of reincarnation has been subject to different transformations over the years. In the second section, Fr. Gaetano Favaro attempts to show how this belief has its roots in the Orient, by suggesting reincarnation is not present in the ancient Hindu scriptures. However, he does not appear to have found any strong or valid arguments to support this theory, relying instead on decontextualising various passages from the Brahmana and the Upanisads. He also cites the results of a recent Italian survey showing the large percentage of young boys who believe in reincarnation.

In the third section, Fr. Ernesto Zucchini describes three main groups working to spread the theory of reincarnation: ISKCON, Universal Life and Sukhyo Mahikari. I feel this particular section aptly demonstrates the need for devotees to follow-up on the millions of books they have distributed and to establish a system to help people understand the message of Srila Prabhupada and the Vedas. Zucchini quotes more than twenty passages from Prabhupada's books, but the resulting impression that he leaves the reader with is not at all favourable.

Prof. Ermanno Pavesi, in the fourth section, attempts to counteract the large body of scientific evidence put forward to sustain the reincarnation model. His essay is not very comprehensive nor analytical, but merely presents a brief summary of the various concepts.

The final section of the volume is dedicated to a theological essay compiled by a Christian theologian, Piero Cantoni, who employs a critical interpretation of the different academic theories put forward in order to render belief in reincarnation compatible with Christian dogma. It is an interesting work compiled with great ability and a broad vision of the subject.

However, it appears that the underlying agenda of this essay is to emphasise the flaws in the transmigration theory, and to suggest ways of dealing with its proponents. Cantoni also discusses how the theory of reincarnation was not present in ancient Indian scriptures such as the Rg, Yajur and Sama Vedas. His approach is ultimately superficial and not seriously researched. He concludes very simply that reincarnation should be looked upon as a recently discovered theory, frequently using the term 'new thesis' in his own dissertation.

In conclusion, this book constitutes a valuable instrument in that it highlights the various qualifications and skills that devotees must develop in order to present ISKCON's philosophy in a sharper, more dynamic way. If we do not adopt a more intellectual approach to presenting this information, people will continue to be confused by subjective opposing views such as those presented in this book that, because of their prominence, will ultimately be taken more seriously. Although I do not feel the book's contributors present very strong arguments against the concept of reincarnation, they are efficacious in demonstrating how hard we have to work in order to present reincarnation and other Krsna conscious concepts to the general public in a more acceptable form.

Virabhadra Dasa

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