DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post

**myhackingtosh_ws** · 06-29-2010, 12:24 AM

I came across this article from Bhikkhu Bodhi. Its one of his "rebirth must be" essays you see from time to time

I decided to post it however since this part struck me

Rebirth - Bhikkhu Bodhi

The question of human destiny after death is probably one of the most critical questions we can raise. Nowadays it has become fashionable to dismiss this question as unimportant. But if we reflect on the extent to which our views influence our action we will see that it is quite essential to gain some understanding of the complete context in which our lives unfold. Moreover our views on the afterlife will determine what we regard as important in this present life.

Three positions of human destiny after death
There are three possible positions that can be taken on human destiny after death. One position, the outlook of materialism. It simply denies that there is an afterlife. It holds that the human being consists of organic matter. It regards mind as a byproduct of organic matter, and after death, with the break up of the physical body, all consciousness comes to an end and the life process is completely extinguished.

The second alternative is the view held in Western theistic religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam in their orthodox forms. They believe in an eternal afterlife. According to these religions, we live a single life on earth and after death we live eternally in some state of existence determined by our present beliefs and conduct.

Then there is a third view, a view which prevails in the religions of the East, Hinduism and Buddhism. This is the idea of rebirth. According to this, the present life is only a simple link in a chain of lives that extends back into the past and forward into the future. This chain of lives is called samsara.
http://www.beyondthenet.net/dhamma/rebirth.htm

It struck me because the Buddha taught that Dukkha and its cessation were what is important and not questions about ultimate reality, afterlife etc

The second part I also find lacking since Bodhi appears to be stuck in views. "its either this or must be that" kinda thinking

any comments?

metta

06-29-2010, 12:24 AM	#1
myhackingtosh_ws Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 493 Senior Member	A quibble with Bhikkhu Bodhi's teachings I came across this article from Bhikkhu Bodhi. Its one of his "rebirth must be" essays you see from time to time I decided to post it however since this part struck me Rebirth - Bhikkhu Bodhi The question of human destiny after death is probably one of the most critical questions we can raise. Nowadays it has become fashionable to dismiss this question as unimportant. But if we reflect on the extent to which our views influence our action we will see that it is quite essential to gain some understanding of the complete context in which our lives unfold. Moreover our views on the afterlife will determine what we regard as important in this present life. Three positions of human destiny after death There are three possible positions that can be taken on human destiny after death. One position, the outlook of materialism. It simply denies that there is an afterlife. It holds that the human being consists of organic matter. It regards mind as a byproduct of organic matter, and after death, with the break up of the physical body, all consciousness comes to an end and the life process is completely extinguished. The second alternative is the view held in Western theistic religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam in their orthodox forms. They believe in an eternal afterlife. According to these religions, we live a single life on earth and after death we live eternally in some state of existence determined by our present beliefs and conduct. Then there is a third view, a view which prevails in the religions of the East, Hinduism and Buddhism. This is the idea of rebirth. According to this, the present life is only a simple link in a chain of lives that extends back into the past and forward into the future. This chain of lives is called samsara. http://www.beyondthenet.net/dhamma/rebirth.htm It struck me because the Buddha taught that Dukkha and its cessation were what is important and not questions about ultimate reality, afterlife etc The second part I also find lacking since Bodhi appears to be stuck in views. "its either this or must be that" kinda thinking any comments? metta
	Quote