Reincarnation is the philosophical or religious concept that the
soul or
spirit, after biological
death, can begin a new life in a new body. This doctrine is a central tenet of the
Hindu religion. The
Buddhist concept of
rebirth is also often referred to as reincarnation, and is a belief that was held by such historic figures as
Pythagoras,
Plato and
Socrates. It is also a common belief of various ancient and modern religions such as
Spiritism,
Theosophy, and
Eckankar, and is found as well in many tribal societies around the world, in places such as East Asia, Siberia, South America, and Australia.