I'm not sure if a technical answer exists from scripture, if the Buddha or one of his students said, but I expect not.
The idea of reincarnation is in essence outside of time, it has gone on before this universe was created and will continue after this universe has ended. It's outside of the relative physical conditions. So the answer is likely to be incalculable.
The real issue is that Buddha was like us, subject to cause and effect the same as you and me. For most Buddhists the issue isn't where we come from but how do we stop the cycle of suffering (see the Four Noble Truths).
The idea of passing trough many lives is so that you may receive enlightenment like the Buddha did but it may take many lives to get there,but you always do.
The idea of passing trough many lives is so that you may receive enlightenment like the Buddha did but it may take many lives to get there,but you always do.
They are found mostly in the "Jataka tales" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jataka
Buddha Is As Buddha Does has 288 pages.
Buddha. He is lying.
Jataka refers to the accounts of the former lives of Buddha Gautama Siddhartha.
Jataka Tales
Everyone already has Buddha-nature. Many, however, are not aware of their own Buddha-nature yet.Answer No-one can become a Buddha if they know how to become one.
he wanted them to try and achieve enlightenment
The themes of "Jataka Tales" are Buddha's path to enlightenment. Each story is about Buddha's past lives as different animals and the valuable life lessons learned to eventually become Samma-sam-buddha.
Marrying Buddha has 248 pages.
Buddha Da has 330 pages.