How Do I Receive an Afterlife of Reward? - Part 3

Atheism

Atheists do not believe in eternal life, leading them to also not believe in an afterlife of any kind, whether of reward or punishment. Atheists believe that the universe was created through natural causes in which people are born and die, with no supernatural intervention. Therefore, Atheists don’t spend their time attempting to earn an afterlife of reward by appeasing supernatural deities. However, similar to other religions, Atheists seek to achieve their full potential of utmost happiness, albeit in this life rather than the afterlife.[1]

Hinduism

Hindus believe that people’s souls have existed and will continue to exist for eternity. These souls continue to reincarnate in various forms until they are set free from reincarnation. At this point, their souls become one with the Hindu deity. Hindus do not believe in a specific place in the afterlife such as heaven or hell, but rather, in this state of unity with the Hindu deity. According to the Hindu scriptures, the best ways to attain this freedom is through austerities, discipline, devotion, self-surrender, and the grace of both a guru and deity.[2]

Buddhism

Buddhists believe that their “stream of mental energy” existed before they were alive and continues to exist after they die. This stream of mental energy continues its cycle of rebirth and death until “nirvana” is attained.[3] Nirvana is a state of ultimate happiness in which one is set free from whatever binds a person such as desire, jealousy, and ignorance. The way to attain nirvana is through wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. Although it sounds simple, achieving nirvana requires determination and a lifetime of dedication, specifically to the eightfold path of right understanding, right intent, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.[4]

The concept of a “stream of mental energy” may sound similar to the Hindu concept of a soul, but it’s actually not the same concept. In the same way, the cycle of rebirth and death is not the same concept as the Hindu concept of reincarnation.

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This wraps up my three-part discussion on just a few of the many beliefs which exist around the world for how one can achieve an afterlife of reward.

What stood out to you from these different beliefs?

Is there another set of beliefs you’d like me to share in a future post?

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[1] David Nicholls, “Life After Death?”, Atheist Foundation of Australia, n.d., accessed March 6, 2017, http://atheistfoundation.org.au/article/life-after-death/.

[2] Jayaram V, “Death and Afterlife in Hinduism,” n.d., accessed March 6, 2017, http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_death.asp.

[3] “Dharma Data: Rebirth,” Buddha Dharma Education Association & BuddhaNet, n.d., accessed March 6, 2017, http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/dharmadata/fdd47.htm.

[4] “How to Achieve Nirvana,” Scientific Psychic, n.d., accessed March 6, 2017, http://www.scientificpsychic.com/search/achieve-nirvana.html.