Rebirth and the Western Buddhist - Khamkoo

Logical 'Proofs': the Theory of Rebirth 35
things that are in fact not findable on logical analysis, it is
postulated that we are dealing with findable things. In
many ways these hypothetical findable things behave
much like things in the observed world, so the theory can
still be useful. But just as the Newtonian theory of dynamics,
which assumes absolute time and space, breaks
down when very high velocities are involved, so this
theory too may cease to apply in certain circumstances.
While this postulate may appear to be about individual
things, in practice it is taken to mean that each type of
thing has numberless defining characteristics, which
mark it off from every thing not of that type. This gives
rise to the important concept of a homogene (rigs 'dra): a
homogene of A is something that is of the same type as
A.
Pz: A person is a dependent imputation on the
aggregates. There is no person self-sufficient or
standing up on its own. (LG 12-18, 100)
These first two postulates are consistent with Sautrantika
tenets. The next two form the basis of the theory of
causation.
PJ: Whatever result is produced must be preceded
by the complete collection of however
many causes it has. If any of them is absent,
they are unfit; if one cause is incomplete, that
result cannot arise. (LG 21)
P3': Conversely, if the collection of causes is
complete, the result must be produced. (LG
56-57)
P4: The complete collection of causes of any
result includes (1) the substantial cause (upadana)
and (2) co-operative conditions.
"Substantial cause of result R" means "That which leaves