Whats the difference between the Hindu concept of Reincarnation, and the Buddhist concept of Rebirth?
Reincarnation implies that the person remains essentially the same while occupying a new body, whereas Rebirth implies that something has changed and you are not essentially the same as before. This change, as we Buddhists perceive it, is either positive or negative depending upon the karma you have accumulated and the actions you have taken to purify your negative karma and/or increase your positive karma. Reincarnation is also fatalistic, by which I mean that it is never-ending. Buddhists on the other hand believe that the cycle of Rebirth can be broken by Enlightenment (or Awakening), which results in Nirvana — the destruction of cyclic existence. A Buddha is simply one who is Awake.
