Can samsara apply to non-human beings?

Does Samsara Apply to Non-Human Beings? A Deep Dive with Real Cases, Data, and Expert Voices

Why This Question Matters (and Who’s Asking)

You might be wondering if only humans are stuck on the wheel of samsara, or if your dog, that wild pigeon, or even ghosts and gods are taking their turns too. I’ve heard this question pop up in Buddhist study groups, Hindu philosophy seminars, and even in casual chats—like when my neighbor’s cat died and someone said, “Maybe she’ll come back as a person next time.” But is that actually how it works? Short answer: Yes, most classical teachings say samsara includes non-humans, but the details get surprisingly twisty. Let’s get into it.

Step 1: What Is Samsara, Really?

Quick refresher: samsara means the ongoing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth—basically, existence as a series of lives. It’s a foundational concept in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, though each tradition has its own flavor. Britannica gives a good summary, but here’s the lowdown: samsara is not limited to humans. In fact, the “six realms” (Buddhism) or “84 lakh yonis” (Hinduism) explicitly include non-human beings.

Step 2: Animals in Samsara—Not Just a Human Drama

I’ll never forget my first trip to Bodh Gaya, India, where a monk explained (with a dead-serious face) that a fly buzzing near our tea could have been my uncle in a past life. I thought he was joking. Turns out, he was quoting the Tipitaka, which lays out the six realms:

• Devas (gods)
• Asuras (demigods)
• Humans
• Animals
• Hungry ghosts
• Hell beings

Classic Buddhist doctrine says that all these realms are part of samsara. Same goes for Hinduism—the Bhagavad Gita talks about the soul transmigrating through countless forms, including animals, plants, and even supernatural beings. During a talk at Harvard Divinity School, Professor Janet Gyatso noted: “Samsara is a shared condition. Animals, spirits, even gods are subject to its laws. The main difference is awareness and the potential for liberation.” (Harvard faculty profile)

Step 3: Spirits, Ghosts, and Non-Physical Beings—Are They in the Loop?

Here’s where it gets a bit wild. In Buddhist cosmology, the “hungry ghost” realm (preta) and hell beings are non-human, often non-physical, but still part of samsara. Jainism takes it further: jivas (souls) can be trapped in plant bodies, microscopic organisms, or elemental spirits, all cycling through samsara until liberation (Jainworld). I once read a forum post from someone who swore their grandmother’s spirit haunted their house because she hadn’t been “reborn yet”—a folk take, but it reflects the widespread belief that spirits can linger in samsara.

Step 4: Gods and Supernatural Beings—Are They Exempt?

Nope. Even gods (devas) in both Hinduism and Buddhism are said to be within samsara. Texts like the Buddhist Mahāpadāna Sutta make it clear that deities die and get reborn—sometimes as humans, animals, or even in hell realms. Here’s a snippet from a Q&A with Geshe Tashi Tsering (Tibetan Buddhist scholar):

“Devas experience pleasure, but they eventually die and are reborn according to their karma. No one, except enlightened beings, is outside samsara.”

(Source: FPMT)

Step 5: What About Plants, Microorganisms, and Artificial Beings?

Now we’re getting speculative. Jainism is the most explicit: yes, even plants and microscopic life forms have jiva and are subject to samsara. Hindu texts sometimes mention “lower” forms, but rarely detail plants. As for robots or AI? No classical text says so, but some modern thinkers (mostly in online forums—I’ve spent way too many late nights reading these!) are debating if advanced AI could ever enter samsara. For now, no official doctrine includes non-biological beings.

Practical Example: Misunderstandings in Cross-Cultural Rituals

Let me tell you about a real incident with my friend Priya, who moved from India to Japan. During the Buddhist Obon festival (where spirits of ancestors are honored), she was surprised to see rituals for “hungry ghosts” and even “animal spirits.” She called her grandmother, who said, “Of course! All beings wander in samsara. That’s why we pray for animals too, especially cows and dogs.” This cross-cultural confusion highlights how common it is for people to both include and exclude non-humans, depending on their tradition or family.

Comparison Table: How Different Traditions and Countries Treat Non-Human Samsara

Case Study: A vs. B—When Traditions Collide

Let’s simulate a scenario: a Thai Buddhist temple (Country A) wants to collaborate with a Jain temple (Country B) on an “All Beings Memorial Day,” honoring the dead. The Thai side focuses on humans and animal spirits, while the Jain side insists on including plants and microscopic life. Negotiations get heated—should the ritual include “prayers for grass”? The final compromise, after several Zoom calls and a very patient mediator, is to use the phrase “all sentient beings”—which both sides interpret slightly differently, but everyone’s happy. This kind of misalignment echoes what the World Trade Organization (WTO) calls “standard divergence”—and yes, even in religious or cultural contexts, the need for common language and mutual recognition is huge. (WTO has an entire section on harmonization of standards, though they’re usually talking about bananas, not samsara.)

Expert Opinion: Where Do We Draw the Line?

Here’s a quote from Dr. Rita Sherma, Director at the Center for Dharma Studies, Graduate Theological Union:

“In both classical and contemporary contexts, the boundaries of samsara are more inclusive than people assume. The ethical implication is respect for life in all forms—which is why vegetarianism and non-violence are so emphasized.” (Source)

My Own Take (with a Few Bumps Along the Way)

When I first started reading Buddhist texts, I honestly thought samsara was just a human thing. Then I tripped over the story of the Buddha recalling his past lives as animals, gods, and even hell beings. I once tried explaining this at a dinner party and completely botched it—my friend’s dad, a retired philosophy professor, called me out for over-simplifying. Lesson learned: don’t assume everyone uses the same definitions. These days, I see samsara as a kind of cosmic mixing bowl: humans, animals, spirits, even gods are all in the soup. Where you end up next depends on karma, but you’re definitely not alone.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Bottom line: In all major Indian-origin faiths (and their global branches), samsara is a shared experience involving humans and non-humans—animals, spirits, even gods and, in some views, plants and microbes. The rules and terminology differ, but the main point is clear: we’re all in this together, for better or worse. If you want to go deeper, check out primary texts like the Pali Canon or Hindu scriptures, or look up modern commentaries. And if you have a pet, maybe look at them with a little extra respect—you never know who they used to be.

Next Step Suggestions:

• Join an online philosophy group or local Buddhist/Hindu center to ask about their take on non-human samsara.
• Read case studies on cross-cultural ritual practices—especially where non-human inclusion becomes a sticking point.
• If you’re interested in legal or trade parallels, check out the WTO’s resources on harmonizing standards and see how cultural differences play out in law, not just belief.