<p>Yes, it is possible to be born human again. As I've heard, if you keep to the five precepts well, you have a high chance of being born human again. If you practice the <a href="http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=10_wholesome_actions" rel="nofollow">10 wholesome actions</a>, you have a high chance of being born in one of the heavens. If you meditate and attain Jhana, you will be born in Brahma realm.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-24T17:15:41.810Z
2015-07-24T17:15:41.810Z
Sankha Kulathantille
<p>I agree with Sankha Kulthantille. His answer is the complete one. If you gain enough Karma, not only can you be born human again and again you can even skip being a human and have better births, in the same manner. But this shouldn't go without saying, that these kind of wishes aren't praised by Buddhist teachings. We as Buddhists, should look forward to nirvana, not many more lives.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-25T23:45:35.470Z
2015-10-26T00:52:33.357Z
2015-10-26T00:52:33.357Z
Theravada
<p>As I see it, if we assume a linear, unidirectional temporality, it is logically impossible that a prior human existence be necessary for a human existence since there could never be a first existence. </p>

<p>Concerning the beginnings of existence, according to, e.g., the <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn15/sn15.003.than.html" rel="nofollow">Assu Sutta</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"A beginning point is not evident, though beings hindered by ignorance
  and fettered by craving are transmigrating &amp; wandering on." </p>
</blockquote>

<p>According to Buddhism, it is not only possible to be reborn as a human many times but, as I take the <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn15/sn15.014.than.html" rel="nofollow">Mata Sutta</a> to declare, certain that each person has:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A being who has not been your mother at one time in the past is not
  easy to find... A being who has not been your father... your
  brother... your sister... your son... your daughter at one time in the
  past is not easy to find.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>I cannot think of any specific references about <em>consecutive</em> human births in the Pāli Canon, but one may, given the appropriate conditions, e.g., having practised generosity, achieve their desires for some kinds of birth. So, it seems that one could theoretically be reborn several times in a row as a human if they desired it and accomplished the necessary conditions. (cf. <a href="https://suttacentral.net/en/an8.35" rel="nofollow">AN 8.35</a>)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-24T16:34:27.587Z
If anyone has any specific references to consecutive human rebirth in the Pāli Canon; please let me know, either by comment or in your own answer. Thanks!
Adamokkha
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-24T16:33:50.380Z
2015-07-24T16:39:24.647Z
2015-07-24T16:39:24.647Z
Adamokkha
<p>If I, this impermanent and suffering and no-self array of aggregates, am journeying through this human realm now, shall I assume that that which was "my prior life", another impermanent and suffering and no-self array of aggregates, was also journeying through the human realm (i.e. a prior human existence is a prerequisite for a subsequent human existence)? I am inclined to think that it is possible for an individual array of ever-fluxuating potentialities to "pass" through the human realm consecutively a number of times. </p>

<rebirth><realms><human>
Is a prior human existence required for a current/subsequent human existence?
# Is a prior human existence required for a current/subsequent human existence?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-07-24)

If I, this impermanent and suffering and no-self array of aggregates, am journeying through this human realm now, shall I assume that that which was "my prior life", another impermanent and suffering and no-self array of aggregates, was also journeying through the human realm (i.e. a prior human existence is a prerequisite for a subsequent human existence)? I am inclined to think that it is possible for an individual array of ever-fluxuating potentialities to "pass" through the human realm consecutively a number of times.

**Tags:** rebirth, realms, human


---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-07-24. Score: 3

As I see it, if we assume a linear, unidirectional temporality, it is logically impossible that a prior human existence be necessary for a human existence since there could never be a first existence.

Concerning the beginnings of existence, according to, e.g., the [Assu Sutta](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn15/sn15.003.than.html):

> "A beginning point is not evident, though beings hindered by ignorance
> and fettered by craving are transmigrating & wandering on."

According to Buddhism, it is not only possible to be reborn as a human many times but, as I take the [Mata Sutta](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn15/sn15.014.than.html) to declare, certain that each person has:

> A being who has not been your mother at one time in the past is not
> easy to find... A being who has not been your father... your
> brother... your sister... your son... your daughter at one time in the
> past is not easy to find.

I cannot think of any specific references about *consecutive* human births in the Pāli Canon, but one may, given the appropriate conditions, e.g., having practised generosity, achieve their desires for some kinds of birth. So, it seems that one could theoretically be reborn several times in a row as a human if they desired it and accomplished the necessary conditions. (cf. [AN 8.35](https://suttacentral.net/en/an8.35))

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: If anyone has any specific references to consecutive human rebirth in the Pāli Canon; please let me know, either by comment or in your own answer. Thanks!  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-07-24. Score: 0

Yes, it is possible to be born human again. As I've heard, if you keep to the five precepts well, you have a high chance of being born human again. If you practice the [10 wholesome actions](http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=10_wholesome_actions), you have a high chance of being born in one of the heavens. If you meditate and attain Jhana, you will be born in Brahma realm.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-10-25. Score: 0

I agree with Sankha Kulthantille. His answer is the complete one. If you gain enough Karma, not only can you be born human again and again you can even skip being a human and have better births, in the same manner. But this shouldn't go without saying, that these kind of wishes aren't praised by Buddhist teachings. We as Buddhists, should look forward to nirvana, not many more lives.


---

