INTRODUCTION

The afterlife (also referred to as life after death, the Hereafter or the Next World) is the
idea that consciousness or the mind continues after the death of the body occurs, by
natural or supernatural means. In many popular views, this continued existence often
takes place in an immaterial or spiritual realm.
Major views on the afterlife are derived from religion, esotericism and metaphysics.
Deceased persons are usually believed to go to a specific plane of existence after death
(other than eternal oblivion), typically believed to be determined by a god, based on their
actions during physical life. In contrast, the term afterlife refers to another life in which
only the "essence" of the being is preserved, and "reincarnation" is another life on Earth
or possibly within the same universe, this can be animals too.



A newspaper joke




LIFE AFTER DEATH IN ISLAM

Muslims believe that the present life is a trial in preparation for the next realm of
existence. When a Muslim dies, he or she is washed and wrapped in a clean, white
cloth (usually by a family member) and buried after a special prayer, preferably
the same day.
Muslims consider this a final service that they can do for their relatives and an
opportunity to remember that their own existence here on earth is brief.
God has given man besides perceptual consciousness, rational, aesthetic and
moral consciousness too.
It is this consciousness that guides man regarding realities that cannot be verified
through sensory data.
The Quran very clearly says that the disbelievers have no sound basis for their
denial of life after death.

It is based on pure conjecture:
And they say, There is not but our worldly life; we die and live (i.e. some people
die and others live, replacing them) and nothing destroys us except time. And
they have of that no knowledge; they are only assuming. And when Our verses are
recited to them as clear evidences, their argument is only that they say, Bring
[back] our forefathers, if you should be truthful. Say, God causes you to live,
then causes you to die; then He will assemble you for the Day of Resurrection,
about which there is no doubt, but most of the people do not know.
Quran, 45:24-26
If there is no life after death, the very belief in God becomes meaningless or even
if one believes in God, it would be an unjust and indifferent God, having once
created man and now not being concerned with his fate.
Man has a very short life span in this world
Adequate punishments and rewards are not possible in this life.
The Quran very emphatically states that the Day of Judgment must come and that
God will decide the fate of each soul according to his or her record of deeds.
The Quran also states that this worldly life is a preparation for the eternal life after
death
Belief in life after death
guarantees success in the Hereafter
makes this world full of peace and happiness by making individuals most
responsible and dutiful in their activities.
Gambling, wine, tribal feuds, plundering and murdering were the Arabia peoples
main traits when they had no belief in life after death. But as soon as they accepted the
belief in the One God and life after death they became the most disciplined nation of the
world.
Similarly the denial of life after death has its consequences not only in the Hereafter
but also in this world. When a nation as a whole denies it, all kinds of evils and corruption
become rampant in that society and ultimately it is destroyed.


We will raise you into a form of which you have not the slightest knowledge. Surah Al-Waqiah
(Ch. 56: V.62)
This is the categorical statement of the Quran on the subject. the life in the
hereafter would not be material. Instead, it would be of a spiritual nature of which we
can only visualise certain aspects.
We cannot determine precisely how things will take shape. One of the salient
features of his vision of the hereafter concerns the soul giving birth to another rarer
entity, which would occupy the same position in relation to the soul as the soul
occupies in relation to our carnal existence here on earth.

Convincing reasons to believe in life after death:
1) All the Prophets of God have called their people to believe in it.
2) Whenever a human society is built on the basis of this belief, it has been the
most ideal and peaceful society, free of social and moral evils.
3) History bears witness that whenever this belief is rejected collectively by a
group of people in spite of the repeated warning of the Prophet, the group as a
whole has been punished by God even in this world.
4) Moral, aesthetic and rational faculties of man endorse the possibility of the life
after death.
5) Gods attributes of Justice and Mercy have no meaning if there is no life after
death.
Is man rewarded after death for his good deeds and punished for the bad ones?
good deeds benefit the spirit and evil deeds harm it.
In this life we can occasionally feel this effect, but only very faintly and vaguely.
After death, when only the spirit is left, bearing all the impressions of deeds done
throughout life, the effects of those deeds will be felt clearly and vividly.
It is this which is the reward for good deeds and suffering for evil deeds.
What is the Day of Judgment according to Islam?
of his or her own deeds. Just as the life of an individual has an end, the life of a
nation has an end, so does the life of this entire physical world have an end.
It is on the Day of Judgment that everyone is fully awakened and raised to the
higher, spiritual life.
It is called the Day of Judgment because each person shall then become fully
conscious of the effects of his deeds in this life, and have a 'body' (so to speak)
made out
What is the significance of the Muslim belief in life after death?
it encourages man to do good and restrains him from doing evil.
it teaches man to look at the inner worth of himself and of others, rather than the
outward appearance
it is the inner part of man which is the real thing, and which survives forever,
while the outward possessions are certainly lost at death, and often even before
then.
BUDDHISM
CYCLE OF LIFE
- Buddhists believe that all living creatures are trapped in a cycle of rebirth trying to reach
enlightenment.
- This means that death is directly linked to birth, rather than being focused on the end of
a life
- Buddhists believe that a persons rebirth is dependent on their actions throughout life
- Another factor that influences rebirth is the state of mind at death
- As such Buddhists do not believe in a permanent soul that transcends from one life to
the next, instead they believe that who someone is in the next life is a result of the karma
from ones life.
- For example if a wealthy person who seemed to have good things happen to them in this
life treats people badly and dies in a negative frame of mind they may be reborn as a
person with less luck in life or even a animal.
- Because of this a Buddhist funeral is not focused on grieving a lost life, instead it looks
at the transitory nature of life.
NIRVANA
- Literally meaning blown out
- This is the name Buddhists give to a state where you escape all craving, ignorance and
suffering.
- It is important to Buddhists that the idea of nirvana is not negative, such as killing an
animal to relieve pain; instead it is positive resulting in peace of mind and harmony.
The two stages of Nirvana
o Buddhists believe there are two stages of nirvana in life:
1) the stage where the mind and heart have achieved nirvana but the body still
exists
2) nirvana after death- also known as ultimate enlightenment
o One can achieve the first stage during human life, and then as a result of this
karma get a better rebirth
o The second stage is only achievable after a series of good rebirths, so that a person
can eventually escape the cycle of rebirth reaching a state of ultimate
enlightenment.
BARDO
- This is the name given to the state between one life and the next
- It is important that before one enters this state they do not have negative thoughts to
ensure that the transition through this state is positive
- Through this state a person moves to either liberation from the cycle of rebirth or their
consequent rebirth
- Buddhists explain our past actions and state of mind effecting our transition in bardo by
saying that:
all past thinking has determined our present state of self
then once all worldly successes are taken away all we have is that state of self
and who we are at present is a result of karma that takes us into the next life!
Tibetan Buddhism

- Although normally Buddhists believe that there is no connection from one life to the
next, Tibetan Buddhists also believe that you can trace down the rebirth (tulku) of a
deeply spiritual Buddhist. Most recently this was shown with the death of the Dalai Lama,
Lama Yeshe.
- Once he was dead Buddhists began a search for his tulku which led to the baby of a
Spanish couple. Once they found the baby they ran a test where the baby successfully
identified a series of Lama Yeshes favourite objects, such as his cane and rosaries with
no difficulty.
- It is also said that before Lama Yeshe died he met the parents of his tulku and told the
mother to give a pearl to her next child, a mother of five she said that she would not have
another child. The Dalai Lama was said to simply smile and said wait and see.
- The actions of Lama Yeshe demonstrate his high level of spirituality as Buddhists
believe that a skill developed when you are highly spiritual is the ability to see past your
present life, whether that is into your past lives or a future life.
So that once your tulku is found they can continue the work started in a previous life.
The Wheel of Life

- Buddhists have created a diagram known as the wheel of life which is like a map
through rebirth. It shows the different states of mind and how to make the transition from
one to another
- In the centre is a pig, snake and cockerel representing the lowest form of life consumed
by hatred and ignorance.
- In the next layer 6 different worlds are shown which can all be seen represented in
human life:
1. World of Gods- life is happy and refined
2. World of aggressive Gods- people are driven to succeed
3. Animal world- people are driven by food, sex, drink and comfort
4 Hell realms- people are depressed or torn apart by hatred, the realms are both hot and
cold
5. Hungry Ghosts- people want more and are never satisfied
6. The Human realm- people study, think and create.
7. The wheel also shows the transition from different realms and outside of the wheel is
the God of death who holds the wheel.
8. Also outside of the wheel is a picture of the Buddha pointing towards a picture of a
hare in a moon, this represents enlightenment through death.
SUMMARY
- The Buddhist view of life after death is that a person has a rebirth based on the karma of
a previous life and that there is not one soul that transcends different physical beings.
However, if it our actions and not a permanent part of us that is created in the rebirth, can
this really be called life after death













HINDUISM
INTRODUCTION
- There is one thing certain in our lifetime, eventually we must all die.
- A belief in the cyclical reincarnation of the soul is one of the found actions in Hindu
religion.
- All Hindus believe they will be reborn into a future that is based primarily on their past
thoughts and actions.
- Most of the Hindus believe in the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
- Samsara or the doctrine of rebirth is also known as the theory of reincarnation or
transmigration of soul.
- According to doctrine rebirth, differences between individuals even at the time of
their birth are due to their past karma. For example if one child is born healthy while
other is handicapped, their differences is attributed to their deeds in their previous life.
- Death according to Hinduism, is a series of changes through which an individual passes.
After death, there are four courses that human follow;
Devayana (ways of Gods)
- Spiritually advanced souls who lead on extremely pure life, devoting themselves in
wholehearted meditation to Brahman. They will undergo path to Brahmaloga,a highest
heaven and from there, they will attain liberty.
Pitriyana (ways of Fathers)
- Followed by rithualists and philanthropists who have cherished a desire for results of
charity, usterity, vows and worship.
- They will undergo a path to Chandraloga, a lunar sphere and after enjoying their
immerse happiness, they return again to Earth as the reward for their good actions.
Third course (lead to Hell)
Followed by those who had lead an impure life, performing actions forbidden by
scriptures. They are born in sub-human species. After expiating their evil acts, they are
again reborn on Earth in human Bodies.
Fourth course
- Extremely vile in their thoughts and actions.
- They are born again and again as creature such as mosquitoes and flea and after expiated
of evil actions, they too return to human bodies on Earth.
CONCEPT OF KARMA
- Broader principles that all life is governed by a system of cause and effect, action and
reaction in which ones deeds have corresponding effect on the future.
- A person with perfect humanity and divinity will not have more than 1 birth. The people
in opposite usually have another birth. This was said to occur 7 times.
- The philosophy according to Hinduism about rebirth was the mistakes you have done in
previous birth can be covered in rebirth and get a perfect human life.
CONCEPT OF MOKSHA
- Means liberation. In certain forms of Hinduism, the idea is to have a good life so that
your next life will be a better one.

- Moksha is the ultimate goal of all life inherently and spiritually our soul is bound to
pursue this one and only goal in the life of every soul.
- There is nothing beyond Moksha that is required to be achieved.
- Is the stage in the life of a human being when one cuts all the shackles of senses and
mind.



















CHRISTIANITY BELIEFS

In this session, there are some general words that we need to know first:
--- HEAVEN : A place where there is only happiness, no sorrow and sadness.
--- HELL : A place of suffering forever / a place in where your soul is destroyed
--- ANNIHILATION : The body rots. One's soul, spirit, memory, personality,
awareness, body, and mind disappear and are no more.
--- REINCARNATION : Our soul and spirit are reborn into another living entity -
not necessarily human.

ROMAN CATHOLIC BELIEFS
When a person dies, their body starts the process of decomposition.
Meanwhile the soul leaves their body and is immediately evaluated in a
Particular J udgment .
It is based on Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but
after this the judgment."
3 possible destination immediately after the judgment:
~~HEAVEN : Those who have their bodies "glorified" and taken immediately to their
eternal reward in Heaven .
~~HELL : If they have committed a mortal sin which has not been forgiven, or have
rejected God, then they are taken immediately to Hell where they will be
tortured forever without any hope of relief or mercy.
~~PURGATORY : If the person dies in a state of grace, but loves God "imperfectly,"
then their souls immediately enter Purgatory. Here, they suffer
for a time in order to cleanse themselves of their accumulated
imperfections, venial sins and faults.
The inhabitants in Purgatory are systematically tortured with fire. The dead remain
in purgatory until they have become sufficiently purified to enter heaven.
However, if their friends and family offer Masses, prayers and other acts of piety
and devotion, then their stay in Purgatory will be shortened.
BUT, when Jesus returns to earth in the second coming", he will conduct the
General Judgment .
Those in Heaven or Hell will continue to spend eternity there. However, those
who are in Purgatory will be released and moved to heaven immediately.
The bodies of the dead will be reconstituted and a bodily resurrection.
The entire human race can learn about every person's life and comprehend the
"justice, wisdom, and mercy of God.
Those who are alive will go either PURGATORY or HEAVEN, depending on
their love for God.
CONSERVATIVE PROTESTANT BELIEFS
They believe that when a person dies, they enter into complete oblivion - a state of
non-existence.
They remain unconscious and have no self-awareness.
At the time of the second coming of Jesus, the dead are called from their graves
and will be resurrected and judged.
Those who had been saved will be given special bodies and go to Heaven .
Otherwise the unsaved will go to Hell for eternal punishment.
Some believe that the soul will be separated from the body and is taken to a type
of holding place :
~Sheol in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)
~Hades in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament)
Then they will be reunited with their body and judged.

SOME IMPORTANT PASSAGES FROM THE BIBLE
a ) Job 14:14-15: "If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time
will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a
desire to the work of thine hands." (KJV)

b ) Daniel 12:2: "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some
to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."
c ) John 3:12-13: "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye
believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven..."

d ) John 5:28-29: "...for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall
hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

e ) Acts 2:29-34: "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David,
that he is both dead and buried...For David is not ascended into the heavens..."
P.S :
a) Thou : you c)Thine : your
b) Thee : you

SUMMARY
Christians believe that one day God will raise all the people who have ever lived and
judge them.
Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God and that he died for the sins of all
people.
They believe that if Jesus had not died then all people would go to Hell.
Christians believe that if you accept that Jesus died for your sins and that if you
worship God then you will be able to go to Heaven when you die.

















CONCLUSION
Each religion has its own point of view regarding this topic. However, there are many
similarities between the religions after death. Mostly, all the religions believe in rewards
and punishment. It is believed that a person who does good deed will be sent to heaven
whereas a person who has done sin will be sent to hell to receive punishment.



RREFERENCE
1. Source: http://www.alislam.org/books/study-of-islam/life-after-death.html
2. http:// www.religioustolerance.org%2Fchr_deat.htm&h=9719e
3. http://www. death.findyourfate.com%2Flife-after-death%2Fchristianity.html&h=9719e
4. http://www.members.multimania.co.uk%2Fperciclark%2Fbeliefs_about_life_aft.htm&h=9719

5.
6.













ETHICS STUDY
LIFE AFTER DEATH

NAME : SHANGGARI A/P VELLAN
SHARMILA A/P BRABAHARAN
MAK YIN YING
SLYVIA
KEW SIEW YEE
NAME OF LECTURER : PN. NIK AMINAH