Talk:Objections to the Doctrine of Karm and Responses:Rebirth, Karm and Forgetfulness

By Vishal Agarwal

Objection: Why should individuals be rewarded or punished for actions performed in a previous life that they do not remember? If the connection between karm and its consequences is not apparent, critics argue that individuals cannot learn from those consequences or modify their future conduct.

Response: The doctrine of karm together with the doctrines of rebirth, the just nature of Bhagavān, and the moral order governing the universe.

Within this framework, the loss of conscious memory of previous lives is not regarded as inconsistent with moral accountability. Some Hindu teachers further argue that retaining memories of numerous previous births, including their joys, sorrows, attachments, and traumas, would make it difficult for individuals to function meaningfully in their present lives.