According to Buddhist theory, the content of the mind is imported a) from the material environment (via the six sense-organs interacting with six sense objects), and b) thought formations premised upon karmic traits laid-down (as “habit”) in previous existences. A previous existence does not have to have been “human” – but could involve any type of life-form – even on other planets situated in different universes and/or dimensions. As this type of existence is mysterious and not fully understood – existences may not unfold in a logical choreography. A past life might have happened in the future when compared to the present – or unfolded within a completely different time corridor not obviously related to the present (although there must be some kind of hidden karmic association). The mechanism of continuing thought-habit might be like one candle lighting another as the former burns-out and the latter blazes brightly. Of course, the Buddha asserts that rebirth (and karma) no longer exists in the enlightened state.
