R.S.

REVISION
THE END OF LIFE
THE SOUL
The soul is the immaterial part of the self that survives the death of the physical
body. This allows us to embrace the attractive idea that we can survive a physical
death and explains the importance and dignity of humans (over and above animals).
FOR
AGAINST
If we were purely physical then we
Differences between people can
would all be the same so we must
be accounted for by differences in
have souls
their brains
In Genesis, God breathes life into
The Bible doesnt explicitly state
Adam
that God gave us souls
Out of Body Experiences and
Many people dont believe that the
Near Death Experiences seem to
Bible is the word of God
show that the soul is able to exist
These experiences may only be
from the body independently
very vivid hallucinations caused
by the brain undergoing very
severe trauma

ANATTA AND THE FIVE SKANDHAS

Anatta is the idea that we cannot have a permanent self or soul because everything
is ever-changing. The idea of having a soul is simply an illusion. This is called notself but that is not to say that we dont exist, just the souls dont. Instead, we are
made up of five skandhas (bundles):
Form physical dimension
Feeling emotional dimension
Perception conceptual dimension
Mental Formation moral dimension
Consciousness qualia
There is no division between body and soul, that is to say that we are like a chariot in
that not one part defines it, but instead all are needed.

REBIRTH
When we die, the energies of the skandhas dont die along with us. They persist and
reform in a different way to create a new being. Most Buddhists believe that
consciousness is the thread that creates the continuity between one life and the
next. Evidence for this view includes memories of past life experience (e.g. Cameron
who believed he previously lived on the Scottish island of Barra) and the selection of
the Dalai Lama where children correctly identify his personal artefacts.

SAMSARA
Samsara is this constant cycle of birth, death and rebirth and it is characterised by
dukkha (suffering). Tibetan Buddhists believe that it is made up of six realms e.g. the
realm of the Hungry Ghosts. The wheel of samsara is turned by the three poisons:
hatred, greed and ignorance. The way of escaping samsara and reaching nirvana
(where all dukkha is blown out) is to cultivate good karma.

Karma is the consequences of our actions which determines the quality of this and
future lives. One can cultivate good karma by following the Three Cardinal Virtues of
benevolence, non-attachment and understanding. These can be cultivated by
following the Eight-Fold Path e.g. right action. You can, in turn, follow the Eight-Fold
Path by following the Five Moral Precepts e.g. avoid killing.

NIRVANA

Mahayana Nirvana is the true nature of our consciousness and reaching it is

uncovering what is already there i.e. the blue sky beyond the clouds. Anyone
can achieve enlightenment as all have Buddha-nature.
Therevada Nirvana is a concrete goal that can be aimed for. However, only
members of the sangha (Buddhist monks and nuns) can achieve
enlightenment by following the 227 monastic rules

BELIEFS ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH

Christian: Resurrection After death everyone is resurrected by God on the

day of judgement. He will then decide whether you should be sent to heaven
or hell.
Christian: Disembodied Existence - We can survive death without our bodies.
This must be a coherent concept because it is easy to imagine.
Atheists There is no life after death so we must make the most of the life we
have now.