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Where does the human soul go after death? Exploring customs, religious beliefs and practices (3)

THE questions of whether humans have a soul and what happens to the soul after death have intrigued many people at different times in history.In my earlier articles, I have examined different practices and beliefs on life after death from the cultural and religious perspectives. I have considered the practices and beliefs of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, adherents of African Traditional Religions with particular emphasis on the Yoruba and the Egyptian cultures, the Baha’is and the Confucians.  I have found that most of these religions and cultures believe that there is a soul which was created by God and goes back to God after death.

Conversely, the Buddhists believe that the human soulis tied in a cycle of rebirths until it achieves nirvana.  The Yoruba also believe in reincarnation (for those who died without upspring or those who although have upspring select to reincarnate through them).  Finally, the Confuciansare more concerned with the right living here on earth than with what happens in the life beyond, even if it exists.  In today’s article, I will examine the beliefs and practices of the Taoists, Shintos, Jain and Zoroastrians on life after death.

Beliefs and practices of Taoistsof China on life after death

Taoism is an ancient Chinese religion.It emphasises living in harmony with the natural order of the universe.  Taoism is predicated on the concepts of reincarnation and immortality. In relation to reincarnation, the Taoists believe that life and death are a continuous cycle for all eternity. That is every soul is re-born after death for all eternity. There is also the belief that one’s action in the first life impacts on their future existence. Consequently, the adherents are encouraged to live a moral life. The Taoists’ funeral services contain rites that are designed to aid the soul’s journey of rebirth. The Taoists also believe in immortality. This is a state where a person transcends the cycle of life and death achieving a state of eternal existence within the body. This is only achieved when one is fully aligned with the Tao, which is the fundamental principle of the universe.

Taoists therefore practice qigong (ancient Chinese exercise to optimise energy and health), tai chi(ancient Chinese martial art) and meditation to balance the ying and yang(opposite but interconnected forces of darkness and light) within the body, leading to longevity and spiritual awareness.

Beliefs and Practices of Shintosof Japan on life after death

Shintoism is an ancient belief in Japan. Its core beliefs are purity, harmony and respect for nature. Adherents believe that their spiritual energy is recycled when they die and that they go to live in another world called the “otherworld”.  In Shintoism, there are no gods as there are in other religions. Rather, they believe that there are spiritual energies called the kami which resides in everything, both living and non-living. Thekami residing in human bodies is believed to be in a weakened state when humans are alive. Hence when someone dies, the kami is released and it regains its full powers.

The kami thereafter makes a journey to the otherworld where they can reside in a neutral state. At this state, they are free to move around freely between the world of the living and the otherworld. Consequently, the occurrences of ghosts are normal to the Shinto believers.  The otherworld to the Shintoists is not like heaven or hell, but a neutral place of abode for the kami. There are three otherworlds: The Takamano-hara or the otherworld of heaven which is where all the most venerable kamis reside, the Yomi which is the otherworld where divine female parent who birthed the lands of Japan resides and Tokoyo which is believed to exist beyond the sea. People who have lived exemplary lives are deified through the process called apotheosis. Such person and his or her kami are treated like gods and glorified. This was usually reserved for successful warriors or members of the royal families.

It is important to note that the Shintos do not believe that the kami can come back to inhabit another living being.  Since the Kami can roam between worlds, it is believed that if the kami are remembered through rituals, prayers and offerings, they will protect their loved ones and be there for them in times of need. Hence many people set up shrines in their homes for their lost loved ones.

Beliefs and practices of JAINS of India on life after death

Jainism is one of India’s oldest religions. The Jains believe in reincarnation and deliverance. Reincarnation is at the core of Jainism. When a being dies, it is believed that the person’s soul (jiva) goes into its next body instantly. This body can be elemental beings in the earth, water, fire or air. It could also be micro-organisms, plants, worms, insects. If they are committed to acts of goodness, they might take human forms and ascend to a place of everlasting freedom at the highest limits of the universe from which they continue to witness forever repeated rounds of existence of many souls below.

Reincarnation is dependent on the karmas(mental state) gained while the person is alive. Hence a calm and contented death with the mind focused on spiritual matters is the best.  Reincarnation is called the cycle of birth or samsara. This means that the soul is born into a body which lives and dies and is then rebirthed into a different body. This process repeats endlessly for souls that have karmas bound to them. The aim of Jainism is to be liberated from samsara. This is deliverance.   Activities and thoughts create karmas which may be positive or negative. Positive karmas are created from meritorious acts such as giving alms and avoiding violence. Negative karmas are created through condemned conducts such has lying, greed, committing deliberate violence et cetera.

The reincarnated jivacan come in the body of a human being – manusya-gati, a heavenly being living in the heavens – deva-gati, an infernal being living in the hells – naraka-gatior an animal or plant – tiryag-gati.Gathering positive karmas may lead to birth as a godor human. Gathering negative karmasmay result in reincarnation as animals, plants or hellish beings.

Since it is the karma in the first life that determines the body of reincarnation, people with negative karmas will no longer have the opportunity to gather enough positive karmas to be born in better conditions in the next life. Also, a soul rebirthed as a god is trapped in the samsaraor reincarnation. It is only one that is born as a human that can achieve deliverance. A being achieves deliverance when it is free from all karmas (both positive and negative). A delivered being cannot attract any harmful karma and cannot do anything bad. These are called arihant. An arahant is human with perfect knowledge and happiness.

A delivered being travels instantly to the supreme abode – the highest level of the universe – where it lives for ever in a disembodied state of bliss with other liberated souls. The five virtues that will guarantee spiritual ascent are: nonviolence, truthfulness, not stealing, celibacy and non-possession. This helps to release negative karma that impedes the energy, consciousness, and bliss of soul.

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Beliefs and practices of Zoroastrians of India and Iran on life after death

Zoroastrians is one of the oldest religions in India and parts of Iran and is often believed to have helped in shaping Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The Zoroastrians believe that when a body dies, it becomes impure immediately. This is because death is caused by a type of devil figure known as AngraMainyu.Hence, once someone dies, such a person is placed in a tower which is usually on a mountain. This is known as a “Tower of Silence”. Such body will decompose in the sun and be eaten by vultures and other birds.

This is the only way to remove the impure body from this world. Hence the body returns to nature.

The soul on the other hand, is believed to be a creation of God, hence a godly thing. It leaves the body immediately the final breath is taken. After death, the soul remains near the body for four days. It does this to mourn the separation from the body. Eventually, an angel guides the soul to the spirit world. This is where ancestors are and where they watch over the living. The soul then faces judgement before finding its place in the afterlife. While alive, the body has the liberty to act as desired. However, these actions lead to one’s fate after death.

Judgement is given to the soul at a bridge known as the “Bridge of Judgement”. Those who led pure lives full of kindness and respect will go to paradise or heaven. This is the good part of the life after death where the angels live. However, those who spent their lives in sin are pushed towards punishment where they stay until a final judgement day when God reviews their actions once again.

You get what you give.

To be continued…

AARE AFE BABALOLA, OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D (Lond.)