Rebirth

"Is there any being who transmigrates from this body to another?"

"No there is not."

"If that is so, would there not be an escape from the result of evil deeds?"

"Yes there would be an escape if they were not reborn but there would not be if they were to be reborn. This mind and body process commits deeds either pure or impure, and because of that kamma [karma] another mind and body process is reborn. Therefore this mind and body is not free from its evil deeds."

"Give me an illustration."

"If a thief were to steal another man's mangoes, would he deserve punishment?"

"Indeed he would."

"But the mangoes he stole were not those that the owner had planted; why should he deserve punishment?"

"Because those that he stole resulted from the others."

"Just so, O king, this mind and body process commits deeds either pure or impure, and because of that kamma another mind and body process is reborn. Therefore this mind and body is not free from its evil deeds."

---The Milinda Panha (The Debate of King Milinda)---