Hello! So firstly I want to establish that I’m certainly not talking about the eightfold path, the four noble truths, or anything we can verify for ourselves in our own experience. Even rebirth, at least in a broad sense, I’ll give a pass on this since there’s the opportunity for me to see this in my lifetime and it still can fit within the current scientific paradigm. Plus obviously, in some way, we’re reborn every moment. I have certainty in all of that and am so grateful for the Dharma.

What I’m more asking about is all the more “far out” stuff (from a Western POV). Rebirth happening in this hyper specific way and the death process unfolding as described (which I can give more credence to since other traditions say similar stuff). But devas, pure lands, the 31 planes of existence??

What makes this stuff any more likely to be right than other paradigms? Materialism, the Aztec gods, the Hindu view of the world, the Abrahamic view, the list goes on and on. All of these are filled with depth and nuance and deep thoughtfulness. People dedicate their lives to understanding these other worldviews, and it feels almost cruel to dismiss their ideas/understandings with a “bah Buddhism is right”. I mean the Jains even share many core Buddhist beliefs! Why are they wrong? If one were to look at all this objectively, it would seem the smartest view is simply trusting modern science.

So what’s up with that? Any thoughts would be deeply appreciated!