I agree! There are certainly some “baggage” items that come with Buddhism. I’m emotionally a fan of the reincarnation concept, so I’ve never thought about how it might contradict things, so thank you for that awakening. I think the concept is double edged. On the one hand, reincarnation gives us infinite time to slack off and not pursue enlightenment. But on the other hand, it gives us infinite time to compassionately nurture ourselves in that direction without rush.

Metaphorically, we are reincarnated all the time when one ego dies realizing a new truth and becoming a new ego.

I also like the more Zen interpretation that reincarnation is probably just an unnecessary concept — there for us to learn something from, but ultimately it doesn’t matter what we say is true with language — what matters is being present in the now and observing and engaging with the truth of what’s actually in front of us.

If I had to complain about something in Buddhism, it would be the massive chaos of it, with a bazillion types and different scriptures. At least in Christianity someone can hand me one book and say “here is the key to my religion.” But with Buddhism, there are many keys to many locks, and I’m not sure which ones are more important.