All People die. No person is actually beyond death in Hinduism, including avatars. (Think Lord Jesus come to earth but Hindu versions essentially lol) The soul is what is everlasting or immortal, if you prefer. This is actually why Hindus always cremate their dead. The idea is that the soul or atman needs to be released from the body after a person dies in order to continue the journey into samsara or be released from it. If the person is buried then the anchor for the soul remains and Hindus worry about “waking up underground.”
Not even kidding, that’s literally how my mother explained our funeral rites to me, after getting young me to swear to make sure she would be cremated after her death.
I think once the skeleton eventually turns to dust, the soul is finally set free.
But that’s just how I understand it.
I’m not exactly “orthodox” full disclaimer lol
Seems your understanding is in agreement with mine.
This is what I was saying earlier.
"...it's a cycle of progress and regress.
If it's all progress, however, one must ask the question... What does that lead to?
Imagine getting a soul that has reached a perfect state, but you die, everytime, to return and get that soul, again... and again... and again..."
...and I am not even or Hindu, or Indian belief systems. Lol.
The soul specifically is what can never die. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this also common in the Abrahamic religions?
That depends on which """Abrahamic""" religion.
You must remember, every Jew in history
claims Abraham is their father. Claims are a dime a dozen.
Remember too, that a lot of doctrines were borrowed from other traditions, and mixed with those taught through Moses, and the greater Moses - Jesus Christ. So that even today, so-called Christianity has adopted the belief in the immortality of the soul.
That's where the doctrine of eternal Hellfire, taught first (first to profess Christianity after the apostolic age) by the Roman Catholics, stems.
Immortality of the soul is not a Biblical teaching, and was not taught by Abraham, nor Moses... Nor Jesus, and his apostles.
They taught that death was the end of life, and the only hope of living again was by resurrection.
Some people try to support the teaching of immortality of the soul, by using Jesus illustration of the Rich man and Lazarus.
However, they ignore scriptures such as Ezekiel 18:4, and Genesis 2:7 and Genesis 2:17.
These clearly teach that the soul dies. It cannot be immortal if it dies. I'm sure you agree.
Like you attain everlasting Life after you die by obeying God’s laws and living a moral life and (for Christians specifically) by accepting the saving grace of Lord Jesus. Am I incorrect in that assessment?
Attaining everlasting life is being given life that is sustained by the souce of life - God. Unless one is given a life that is self-sustainable - that is, immortal.
That's different to being given an immortal soul, but still being subject to death.
The difference is that once given immortality, one can never die. They are not given a soul. They are spirit beings, and do not depend on anything to sustain their life.
There are mortals who also will gain everlasting life, but their living forever is dependent on staying 'connected' to God - the source of life... being obedient and faithful.
No need to apologize... even if you are incorrect. Nothing is wrong with asking questions, or making a statement based on one's understanding.
Sadly, many get offended when questions put their teachings in a bad light. However, I appreciate persons assumptions... even if misinformed, because it's their understanding, and I am happy to correct them... if need be.
The Christians I know are fairly “liberal”
But no person is actually above death. Think of it like humans living their lives and then having an afterlife. That’s probably the easiest way to translate the concept.
That's the way I understand it works.
Then they die... again. Then get another afterlife... again. Then they die... again.
It's an endless cycle. Isn't that how it goes?
Yes, this is what Hindus strive for. But again what that actually means looks different, depending on who you ask. Like I said, there’s a lot of differing traditions going back centuries, if not thousands of years. Maybe more.
Yes, that's what I understand too. Different interpretations... like in all belief systems.
Even scientists have different interpretation.
That they disagree and conflict with each other is not really seen as an issue in Hindu culture.
Some even purposefully go against the grain, arguing that by breaking the human imposed barriers (social taboos) one can truly begin to understand the broadest aspects of their existence
Seems that is similar in """Christianity""" today, as well.
Fair enough
I think of it like sort rejoining your truest self, to be absorbed into the Brahman is to return to your natural place in the universe. Think of it like returning home at last and enjoying a well earned relaxing nap. Albeit for eternity lol
Right. Exactly what I was thinking.
You were stardust. You return to stardust.
Not very comforting.
So we agree on the true interpretation of most Hindus, Buddhists, and many other Indian religions.
I believe some New Age religions incorporate some of the same beliefs, but not 100% sure. I'll have to research those.
Well Buddhism did grow out of Hinduism originally
They’re sort of like siblings
Yes.
Not too familiar with Buddhist beliefs, unfortunately. Perhaps someone here can enlighten us both. But it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that the concepts are similar
Looks like they are.
Yes interpretations will vary.
The variations that arise are very interesting to learn about
Ehh kind of?
Think of it like this.
Christianity is technically an offshoot of Judaism.
Lord Jesus was born a Jew after all, was He not?
But the end “results” are fairly different between the two, would you agree?
They are two distinct religions at the end of the day.
I like the fact you used the word "technically".
Yes. Technically it is viewed that way.
Yes Hindus have undergone a lot of “growing up” through the ages. So to speak lol
Well, if one doesn't grow at all, it's a cause for concern. You'd begin to wonder, "What's wrong with that child?"
Growing down is even more of a concern.