Afterlife (Introduction)

by dhw, Thursday, December 01, 2011, 17:18 (4719 days ago) @ xeno6696

MATT: Again, in modern writing, I have not seen any reference, either from Shakyamuni, nor of his disciples that discuss of an afterlife in any traditional manner that I am accustomed to. (Buddhism in the 17th century is NOT the Buddhism of today.)

You clearly know far more about the subject than I do, so please put me right. Firstly, you say you have “read the works of Buddha Shakyamuni”. I was always under the impression that his teachings had been passed on orally and only written down hundreds of years later.

Like yourself, I’m used to the traditional view of samsara as the cycle of death and rebirth, and karma as the effects of past deeds on the present life. If this didn’t arise from the teachings of the Buddha himself and/or his disciples, have you any idea how it did arise? And what is the modern interpretation of samsara and karma, or have these concepts been dropped altogether?

You also mentioned the Dalai Lama, who traditionally was believed to be a reincarnation of previous dalai lamas. Had the tradition already died when he was chosen?

Sorry to quiz you, but although I do find it hard to keep up with the 21st century, I’m genuinely surprised to find that I’m still only in the 17th century!