Definition of reincarnation

The word "reincarnation" has its roots in Latin and Greek language. The term "reincarnation" is derived from the Latin words "re," meaning "again," and "incarnare," meaning "to be made flesh." This Latin term was first used in the 15th century to describe the Christian concept of "rebirth" or "regeneration." However, the concept of reincarnation, or the idea that a person's spirit or soul is reborn into a new body after death, has its roots in ancient Eastern cultures, particularly in Hinduism and Buddhism. The Sanskrit word "punarjanman" (पुनर्जन्मन्) and the Pali word "samsara" (सम्सार) both convey the idea of rebirth or reincarnation. The term "reincarnation" was later adopted into English in the 17th century, and has since been used to describe various belief systems, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Theosophy.