Hereafter, Thereafter Or Transcendental Existence

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 23 February 2023 While Mr S Arshad elucidated the Doctrine of Reincarnation in a lucid manner, I'm afraid, it doesn't explain many phenomena of life. Life is too complex to be explained by certain theories and doctrines. I agree with Mr Ghulam Mohiyuddin that it's the inherent unwillingness of humans to accept that Death is the End. The Eastern belief system believes in the continuity of things and the continuation of life. That's why, Hindu religion concocted the concept of 84 lakh yoni (84 lakh lives). All Puranas (altogether 18) describe this journey of several lives and types to culminate in human life, which's considered to be the ultimate. Hinduism and its offshoots Buddhism and Jainism believe in rebirth. But if you look at all religions and their post-death philosophies, you'll realize that it's because of our fear of death, we've concocted rebirth, Hereafter, Thereafter or Transcendental existence. All these things are meaningless. If Edwin Booth took birth as Amitabh, Nana Saheb as Indira Gandhi and Tipu Sultan as APJ Abdul Kalam, where did all sorts of intervening lives (insects, worms, animals etc.) go? If humans take birth as (only) humans, then there's no meaning of the concept of 84 lakh (different) yonis. Humans unnecessarily make life complicated by fabricating terms like transmigration, transmutation of soul. All scriptures further strengthened these baseless ideas by institutionalizing them. Gabriel Marquez once said, ' An individual's life is a single and independent unit that begins and ends here. The indomitable wish to live forever in whatever way possible is the root to creating a medley of theological beliefs. ' This convoluted perpetuation of human life witnessed only men and no women in the Buddhist tradition of Dalai Lamas. Does soul (which actually doesn't exist) also discriminate between sexes and favour only men? The belief that unfulfilled deeds and wishes get fulfilled in next birth and as a new person is a wistful thinking. Claiming that Mozart's life was a continuation from the previous birth because he composed his first symphony at the age of 4 and a half has no scientific basis. But I must add here (just for the sake of effect) that when someone asked the great English poet Keats, how he wrote such sublime poetry at such a tender age, Keats said, " I'm living a posthumous life" (one of the greatest lines in the annals of English literature). It's worthwhile to mention that Keats died at the age of 26 in 1821! By the way, today, Feb 23, is his death anniversary! Coming back to reincarnation, rebirth, heaven, hell or Hereafter, 'Dil Ke Bahlane Ko Ghalib Ye Khayaal Acchha Hai...' ------- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/hereafter-thereafter-transcendental-existence-/d/129174 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism