Afterlife

• 1. Conceptual Foundations And Definitions

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  The afterlife is a postulated existence where the essential part of an individual's stream of consciousness or identity continues to exist after physical death. This surviving aspect varies between belief systems, ranging from partial elements to entire souls carrying personal identity. Some views place this continued existence in a spiritual realm, while others describe reincarnation into this world again without memory of past actions. Major views on the afterlife derive from religion, esotericism, and metaphysics. Theist immortalists generally believe some afterlife awaits people when they die. Members of some non-theistic religions also believe in an afterlife without reference to a deity. Religions like Christianity, Islam, and various pagan belief systems hold that the soul exists in another world. Other traditions, such as many forms of Hinduism and Buddhism, believe in reincarnation. In both cases, these religions maintain that one's status in the afterlife is determined by their conduct during life.

• 2. Ancient Egyptian And Greek Traditions

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  When the body died in Ancient Egypt, parts of its soul known as ka and ba would go to the Kingdom of the Dead. To sustain the ka, living relatives provided offerings of food and drink believed to nourish spiritual needs. The ka would reunite with the deceased's spirit to enjoy eternal life in the Fields of Aaru, a paradise reserved for the righteous. However, Osiris demanded work as restitution for the protection he provided. Statues were placed in tombs to serve as substitutes for the deceased. Arriving at reward required a sin-free heart and the ability to recite spells from the Book of the Dead. In the Hall of Two Truths, the deceased's heart was weighed against the Shu feather of truth taken from Ma'at's headdress. If the heart was lighter than the feather, they could pass on, but if heavier, it would be devoured by Ammit. Egyptians also believed mummification and placement in a sarcophagus were essential for an afterlife. Coffin Texts inscribed on coffins served as guides for challenges in the afterlife. On the 30th of March 2010, archaeologists unearthed a large red granite door in Luxor with inscriptions by User, adviser to Queen Hatshepsut who ruled between 1479 BC and 1458 BC. They called this false door a 'door to the Afterlife'.

  In Greek mythology, Hades was known as king of the underworld where souls lived after death. Hermes, messenger of the gods, took the dead soul to the underworld sometimes called the House of Hades. He left the soul on banks of the River Styx, river between life and death. Charon, ferryman, took the soul across the river if gold coins were placed under the deceased's tongue during burial. Once crossed, the soul faced judgment by Aeacus, Rhadamanthus, and King Minos. Souls went to Elysium, Tartarus, or Asphodel Fields. The Elysian Fields contained green fields, valleys, and mountains where everyone was peaceful and contented. Sun always shone there. Tartarus held those who blasphemed against gods or were rebellious and consciously evil. In Tartarus, souls were punished by being burned in lava or stretched on racks. The Asphodel Fields held varied human souls including those whose sins equaled goodness. Romans had similar beliefs with Hades becoming Pluto. Heracles traveled to underworld to capture Cerberus, three-headed guard dog. Cicero described an out-of-body experience in Dream of Scipio where soul travels high above Earth looking down at small planet from far away.

• 3. Abrahamic Eschatology And Theology

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  Sheol in Hebrew Bible is place of darkness to which all dead go regardless of moral choices made in life. It is a place of stillness at longest possible distance from Heaven. Inhabitants called shades were entities without personality or strength. Under some circumstances they could be contacted by living though such practices were forbidden. When Hebrew scriptures translated into Greek around 200 BC, word 'Hades' substituted for Sheol. This appears in New Testament where Hades represents both underworld and personification of evil it represents.

  Talmud offers thoughts relating to afterlife where soul brought for judgment. Those leading pristine lives immediately enter Olam Haba or world to come. Most do not enter immediately but experience period of reflection on earthly actions aware of wrongs done. Some view this as re-schooling gaining wisdom as errors reviewed. Others see spiritual discomfort caused by past wrongs. At end of period not longer than one year, soul takes place in world to come. Concept of eternal damnation not tenet of Jewish afterlife. According to Talmud extinction of soul reserved for smaller group of malicious leaders whose deeds go way beyond norms. Maimonides describes Olam Haba in spiritual terms relegating prophesied physical resurrection to future miracle unrelated to Messianic era. Zohar describes Gehenna not as punishment for wicked but as place of spiritual purification for souls.

  Mainstream Christianity professes belief in Nicene Creed including phrase looking for resurrection of dead and life of world to come. Jesus said marriage irrelevant after resurrection as resurrected will be like angels in Heaven. He maintained time would come when dead hear voice of Son of God coming out from tombs. Those hearing commandments believing in sender go to resurrection of life while others to resurrection of condemnation. Book of Enoch describes Sheol divided into four compartments for faithful saints awaiting resurrection in Paradise, merely virtuous awaiting reward, wicked awaiting punishment, and wicked already punished not resurrected on Judgment Day. Author of Gospel of Luke recounts story of Lazarus and rich man showing people in Hades awaiting resurrection either in comfort or torment. Hippolytus of Rome pictured underworld where righteous dead waiting in bosom of Abraham rejoice at future prospect while unrighteous tormented by lake of unquenchable fire.

• 4. Eastern Philosophies Of Rebirth

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  Buddhists maintain rebirth takes place without unchanging self or soul passing from one form to another. Type of rebirth conditioned by moral tone of person's actions called kamma or karma. If person committed harmful actions based on greed hate and delusion expected rebirth in lower realm animal hungry ghost or hell realm. Where skillful actions performed based on generosity loving-kindness compassion wisdom rebirth in happy realm human or heavenly realms expected. Most important moment determining reborn is last thought moment. At that heavy kamma would ripen if performed. If not near death kamma would ripen then habitual kamma finally residual kamma from previous actions could ripen.

  According to Theravada Buddhism 31 existences comprise 20 existences supreme deities Brahmas six existences deities Devas human existence Manussa four existences deprivation unhappiness Apaya. Pure Land Buddhism Mahayana believes special place apart from 31 planes called Pure Land created out merits for sake sentient beings recall mindfully able be reborn train become Buddha there. Main practice Pure Land Buddhism chant Buddha name. In Tibetan Buddhism Tibetan Book Dead explains intermediate state humans between death reincarnation. Deceased find bright light wisdom showing straightforward path move upward leave cycle reincarnation. Various reasons why deceased do not follow path include no briefing former life only following basic instincts like animals fear resulting foul deeds former life insistent haughtiness.

  Hinduism considers individual consists three bodies physical body compose water biomatter energetic psychic mental subtle body causal body comprising subliminal stuff mental impressions. Individual stream consciousness flows through all physical changes body death of physical body flows into another physical body. Two components transmigrate subtle body and causal body. Thought occupying mind time death determines quality rebirth hence Hinduism advises mindful thoughts cultivate positive wholesome thoughts mantra chanting commonly practiced. When one leaves physical body appears court Yama God Death exit interview panel consists Yama Chitragupta cosmic accountant Varuna cosmic intelligence officer counseled about life achievements failures shown mirror entire life reflected. Philosophically these three men projections one's mind. Yama sends heavenly realm Svarga if exceptionally benevolent beneficent period rest recreation limited time weight good deeds. If exceptionally malevolent caused immense suffering sent hell realm Naraka sins. After exhausted karma takes birth again continue spiritual evolution.

• 5. Indigenous And Folk Belief Systems

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  Traditional African religions diverse in beliefs afterlife. Hunter-gatherer societies Hadza particular belief afterlife death individual straightforward end existence. Ancestor cults found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa including cultures Yombe Beng Yoruba Ewe. Belief dead come back life reborn families given concrete expression personal names children. What reincarnated dominant characteristics ancestor not soul. For each soul remains distinct each birth represents new soul. Yoruba Dogon LoDagoa eschatological ideas similar Abrahamic religions marked absence clear-cut notions heaven hell though notions God judging soul after death.

  In Mende society multiple beliefs coexist. Mende believe people die twice once joining secret society again biological death become ancestors. Some Mende also believe after created God live ten consecutive lives progressively descending worlds. One cross-cultural theme ancestors part world living interacting regularly. Confucius did not directly discuss afterlife nonetheless Chinese folk religion strong influence adherents believe ancestors become deified spirits after death. Ancestor veneration China widespread. Shinto common families participate ceremonies children shrine yet Buddhist funeral time death. Old Japanese legends often claim dead go place called yomi gloomy underground realm river separating living dead mentioned legend Izanami Izanagi. This yomi closely resembles Greek Hades later myths include notions resurrection even Elysium-like descriptions legend Okuninushi Susanoo. Shinto tends hold negative views death corpses source pollution kegare. Death viewed path apotheosis legendary individuals enshrined death Emperor Ojin enshrined Hachiman God War after death.

• 6. Modern Religious Movements And Spiritualism

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  Spiritualism religious movement nineteenth century espoused belief afterlife individual awareness persists beyond death. Spirit world regarded external environment spirits good evil various spiritual manifestations. Wiccan afterlife commonly described Summerland souls rest recuperate life reflect experiences had during lives. After period rest souls reincarnated memory previous lives erased. Many Wiccans see Summerland place reflect life actions not place reward end point incarnations.

  Bahá'í Faith teachings state nature afterlife beyond understanding living unborn fetus cannot understand nature world outside womb. Bahá'u'lláh writings state soul immortal after death continue progress finally attains God presence. Souls afterlife retain individuality consciousness able recognize communicate spiritually other souls deep profound friendships spouses. Scriptures also state distinctions between souls afterlife souls recognize worth own deeds understand consequences actions. Those turned toward God experience gladness those lived error aware opportunities lost. Souls able recognize accomplishments souls reached same level rank higher than them.

  Church Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints presents elaborate vision afterlife revealed scene extensive missionary effort righteous spirits paradise redeem still darkness spirit prison hell where souls dead remain until judgment divided two parts Spirit Prison Paradise known Spirit World Abraham Bosom Luke 16:19-25. Believe Christ visited spirit prison opened gate repent cross over Paradise similar Harrowing Hell doctrine mainstream Christian faiths. Both Spirit Prison Paradise temporary according to beliefs Church Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. After resurrection spirits assigned permanently three degrees heavenly glory determined how lived Celestial Terrestrial Telestial. Sons Perdition known seen God deny sent realm Satan called Outer Darkness live misery agony forever. Most persons lack amount knowledge commit Eternal sin therefore incapable becoming sons perdition.