Religious Scholar

The East and the West aren’t that far apart in their views of the Afterlife. In the East, it just takes longer to get there.

Take Christianity and Hinduism. Both traditions promise eternal bliss basking in the light of the Divine for those who lead righteous, devout lives. The difference is that Hindus believe you have to be reborn in this world time and again until you “get it right.” Only then will you be ready for the promise of heavenly joy.

The notion of reincarnation may not be that far from the concept of purgatory which many Christians accept. Purgatory is a transitional state in which the soul works out the kinks and knots that prevent it from fast-tracking into Heaven. What if rebirth in the World is the mechanism for purification and preparation for union with God? Interesting concept, and possibly (but not necessarily) what Jesus meant when he said, “You must be born again.”

There are those who believe Jesus picked up some of his ideas during undocumented travels during his early life. Stories about visits to France, England, China and India abound. While not verified by any historians of the first century, some of these tales could be true. Certainly, ancient wisdom traditions in China and India suggest that few people are ready to pass from the World directly into Ultimate Holiness. Perhaps a return to the human state is the best way for the soul to prepare for eternity.

Westerners tend not to take reincarnation too seriously. First, there is no scientific basis for such an idea, although it is true that Physics holds that energy cannot be destroyed. In a way, Physics is saying that Death is an illusion, that everything is (or is in a process of) transformation with no end in sight..

The second objection raised to the viability of the reincarnation theory is that it encourages people to be lazy and indolent, since they can always come back and do things in a better way at a later date. This isn’t a very sound argument, though.

Speaking for myself, I am so appalled by the degeneration of our environment, the pollution, endangerment to species, increase of frenzied, religion-driven intolerance and violence in our world, I would very much NOT like to return to it when conditions are even worse! Imagine coming back when the hole in the ozone layer is larger, when fanatical religionists are raising large families of warrior children while sensible people, out of respect for the environment, are having few or none.

In this view, reincarnation is not a license to party, but rather a purgatorial injunction to shape up. Ultimately, though, East and West are on the same page. There is a higher state of being, and all believers would like to get there. Whether it takes one lifetime or a billion, our thoughts, responsible actions and compassion will determine whether we get there or not.