The Problem of Reincarnation and the Belief in Ancestral Word
Toluwalase Ajayi Ph.D.

Abstract
The study investigates the issue of reincarnation in the metaphysical concept of African Philosophy. It is also an attempt to examine the problem of reincarnation and the belief in ancestral world. The paper points out that the belief in reincarnation can coexist with the belief in ancestral world without contradiction. The doctrine of rebirth, reincarnation ‘Samsara’ is closely linked with the doctrine of Karma in Hinduism. The paper argues that men are reborn and come back into this world several times and continue to come back until they have sufficiently paid for all their past misdeeds and have purified themselves, before their souls are released to go to the spiritual world, and stop coming back to this world. We agree with Harry Sawyer in his book titled ‘‘God: Ancestors or Creator’’, that man’s destiny is never fulfilled in the first trip, hence a rebirth or reincarnation takes place to give the individual succeeding chance or chances to fulfill his original destiny.

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