Buddha knows : Death & Afterlife

Buddha knows - An interview with Abbot Dhammajayo on Buddhism 

by Monica Øien

“Death is like a process of transformation from physical bodies to spiritual ones. The Lord also taught that death is a source of human sufferings

Monica :          What do Buddhist scriptures say about death?

Luang Por :     The Lord Buddha said death is simple and ordinary for everybody. All people,  no matter who they are, the rich or the poor, are subject to death. Death is a part of our lives. As long as there is birth, death will certainly come. Even while we are still living, death still takes place in the form of cells in our bodies. Everyday,

there are cells produced and eliminated. This process of birth and death in cells is  not quite as explicit as the death of the person, which can be easily seen. With the Lord Buddha’s teachings, Buddhists are familiar with the subject of death, viewing it as natural. Death is like a process of transformation from physical

bodies to spiritual ones. The Lord Buddha also taught that death is a source of  human sufferings. It causes separation from people and the things we love. When

we die, we are forced to depart from them although they are our beloved persons,   pets and properties. Thus, death is known as suffering. For those who are alive, they also experience grief as their loved ones are taken away. To stop this cycle

of suffering, the Lord Buddha thought there should be no death. Eventually, he  found the way to stop death—to cease birth and there will be no death.

Monica :          How do Buddhists relate to death? Are they afraid of it, and if not, why?

Luang Por :     Deep down everybody certainly fears death, but true Buddhists will be less  scared
as they know the fact that whether they fear it or not, death is inevitable.

They thus prepare themselves for death and study what they should do in order
to  have a good afterlife.

Monica :          Do you prepare yourself for death? How do you do that?

Luang Por :     Buddhists have been taught that death is a binary opposition of birth. To prepare  ourselves for the impending death on a normal level, we must learn to purify our minds, avoid unwholesome acts, do good deeds, be helpful and generous to other people, and accumulate merits. Also, one should acknowledge the purpose of being born a human so as to cease birth and find the celestial realm as a halfway before reaching the goal of nirvana. And for those who can attain a higher level of Dhamma, their minds will be free from any emotional breakdown including the fear of death. More particularly, for the person who can reach higher levels of meditation and gain the proper peace of mind, death or life will be no different to them because they know the nature of death before experiencing the real death.

Monica :          What do Buddhists expect in the afterlife?

Luang Por :     A Buddhist who clearly comprehends the truth of life would expect no  reincarnation in the next life like the Lord Buddha, or at least, expect to be in the celestial realm, and not some unwholesome realm. However, the celestial realm is not the ultimate goal as it is only a temporary asylum. When our time in the celestial world ends, we have to be reborn. In our reincarnation in the human world, we aim to eradicate all defilements which are the seeds of birth.

Monica :          What do they expect will happen when they are dead?

Luang Por :     A true Buddhist will seek to end the cycle of  rebirth by following the Lord  Buddha’s teachings, but the reckless Buddhists may live their lives aimlessly, similar to followers of many other religions. However, most of them would expect to be reborn in the celestial realm, not in the realm of punishment.