Death and the Afterlife of Christianity and Buddhism Essay

Death and the Afterlife of Christianity and Buddhism - Essay Example When an individual dies, they are allowed another chance in a different life form to do well. This sequence continues from good to worse life forms. They believe that when an individual dies, they can be reincarnated in animals, spirits and even human life forms. This is totally different from Christians who believe that individuals are allowed only one chance. If they lead a righteous life they head to heaven where there is eternal happiness, if they do not, they head t hell where there is total suffering. This essay seeks to discuss the similarities and differences in the Christian and Buddhist beliefs about death and afterlife. This is on my background of Christianity as my main religion and the Buddhist influence from my grandparents. In Christianity, physical death is seen as an event which can be escaped through having life after death. The Christian traditions are set on the basis that when one leads a righteous life on Christ, they get a chance to have another life after deat h. Having a strong relationship with god is the only way out for any Christian seeking to have eternal life. In Christianity, therefore, physical death is depicted as a mere separation of one’s soul from the physical body. The christen bible stipulates that the dust returns where it came from, and the soul goes where it came from. ... They believe that one’s inequities make the relationship with God not clear hence they sufferer spiritual death. It is in line with this that Christians believe that when one becomes spiritually dead, they have no chance of entering the Kingdom of God. The sinners have no place in heaven, and when they die both physically and spiritually they do not ascend to heaven. Heaven is seen as a place where there is joy, happiness and eternal enjoyment. This is where the Christians who spent their lives in a rightful manner in earth get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. This means that, in their afterlife, only the righteous will experience joy and happiness. For those that do not lead righteous lives spiritually and physically will head to hell where there is eternal suffering. It is in this respect that Christians are in constant search for spiritual nourishment to get to heaven. They also lead their lives according to the way of God. They spent their lives righteously knowing that in the afterlife they would have eternal happiness and joy in paradise. In daily life of a Christian, it is appropriate to live rightfully and forgo the worldly pleasures (Duncan 25). The belief in the afterlife influences numerous activities that Christian engage in. the Christian traditions are dedicated to seeking high spiritual levels and beliefs in the commandments of God. Many people live their daily lives in the expectations of having a better life in the afterlife. The Christian scriptures attest that there is life after death through the story of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not only resurrect from death physically but also spiritually. Christians base their belief on this story since it is true evidence that there is life after death. The biblical texts record of joy and happiness to