ABSTRACT
Schopenhauer said that if an Asiatic asked him for a definition of Europe he would answer that it was that part of the world which was haunted by the incredible delusion that man's present birth was his first entrance into life. Taking the world as a whole, therefore, it would almost be justifiable to reverse the question at the head of this chapter, and to ask, Who does not accept the Law of Karma-Rebirth, and on what grounds do they reject it? In any event, it is pertinent to examine the European attitude to the doctrine, and most books on the subject give, with a wealth of detail and quotation, the evidence which shows how widespread such belief has become. On the other hand, as Owen Rutter points out:
No one is likely to accept a philosophy which does not appeal to him, nor is he necessarily to be convinced of its truth, because, throughout the ages, men of intelligence have accepted it. Nevertheless, although few 83people are influenced by argument, many are glad to listen to explanation, 1
