medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Hi, Francine,
Cathars often were credited with a belief in reincarnation. I recall
reading an exemplum --- was it in Caesarius of Heisterbach? sorry, I don't
have my notes on this to hand --- in which a knight explains that he gives
alms so that after his death he will have a happy rebirth. The story
concludes by commenting that Cathars believe in reincarnation, including
transmigration into the bodies of animals. And if I recall correctly, LeRoy
Ladurie's *Montaillou* includes some testimony from Cathars about the soul
flying through the air and then entering the womb of the first pregnant
female thing it finds.
Let me know if you need more specific references, and I can get the
relevant notes from my office.
Best,
Nancy Caciola
History, UC-San Diego
At 07:59 PM 6/15/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
>Greetings:
>
>Over the course of decades, I've heard more than my fair share of
>contentions that references to belief in reincarnation had been erased from
>the Hebrew Bible and NT--no evidence, just statements. Please don't
>misinterpret my question as a variation on that overwrought theme. However,
>reincarnation or transmigration--as opposed to shape-shifting and
>avatars--is a persistent motif in medieval Irish literature. I'm wondering:
>is there evidence for this belief in non-Irish medieval materials? Any
>suggestions for further exploration would be most welcome!
>
>Francine Nicholson, M.A.
>
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