Afterlife - Hinduism & Judaism

What happens when we die? Religions seek to answer this question with the concept of the afterlife. Sacred texts and other rituals shed light onto the topic, and there is often a well-defined idea of what individuals must do in life to ensure that they are redeemed in death. No two groups offer the same path to salvation; thus, the term salvation encompasses a different meaning for all. By analyzing the afterlife views of two major world religions -- Hinduism and Judaism -- one can clearly see both comparisons and contrasts.

Similarities abound between Hinduism and Judaism. Each religion has a collection of written texts, both of which discuss the afterlife. Hindus look to the Bhagvad-Gita whereas Jews rely on the Old Testament. Both religions generally agree that salvation comes from a combination of being a good person and a devout religious follower. "The Gita also concludes that there are many different, but acceptable paths [margas] to salvation: meditation, caste duty, and a personal devotion to a god. The bhakti [devotional love] appears to be the favored path given to Arjuna by his guru god [Krishna]" (Brink & Carmody 97). Additionally, the Old Testament states that "through righteous living a person can look forward to God's kingdom....but Judaism rather distinctively has emphasized that personal fulfillment comes through daily life" (Brink & Carmody 136). Faith alone does not guarantee a person's eternal salvation. Moral obligation is imperative for both religions to gain admission the afterlife.

Heaven and hell are also referenced in the scriptures for both Hinduism and Judaism. In very simple terms, those who are good ultimately move on to a realm of paradise; consequently, those who are bad find themselves stuck in damnation. Although these are not fixed locations for Hindus, they are mentioned in their scriptures. "For many Hindus these two worlds are as real as their own. The possibility of going to heaven or hell from performing good or bad deeds in this world, combined with a strong belief in karma, is what regulates the behavior of an average Hindu and influences his or her code of conduct on the earth" (Jayaram 1). Judaism also makes a clear distinction between what happens with those who are good and those who are wicked. Both reiterate that it is not just religious piety that enables individuals to be saved and live after death.

Despite the similarities, there are some very important differences worth noting. First and foremost, the Hindu concepts of caste, karma, and transmigration are unlike anything found in Judaism. Because of the caste system, Hindus are locked in a rigid social structure that does not allow the intermingling of classes. No such thing exists in the Jewish faith. Karma refers to the link amongst past, present, and future, with regards to characters and deeds. It is essentially a form of fate. "The notion of salvation in Hinduism is that of release from a cycle of life, death, and transmigration. The solution is to meditate until we realize our spiritual identity and escape the hold of karma" (Brink & Carmody 89). Everything is fluid in Hinduism, nothing is permanent. There is not just one death rebirth; instead, it is a continuous cycle.

"Samsara [the doctrine of rebirth and reincarnation] implies that the given world, the world of 'common sense' and ordinary experience, is only provisional. To take it as ultimate is to delude oneself thus trap oneself in a cycle of rebirths. Only when one penetrates Brahmin, the truly real, can one escape this cycle. Otherwise one must constantly travel the scale of animal life [up or down depending on one's advances or backsliding in wisdom]" (Brink & Carmody 94). Judaism's version of the afterlife is final. There is no type of reincarnation or changing of form.

Polytheism is another major issue that separates the two. Brahmin is considered the ultimate reality in Hinduism, yet this does not take on the form of a single higher power. Many different gods and goddesses are worshipped in the Hindu tradition. This is a sharp contrast to Judaism who believes that there is only one god. According to Jewish theology: "God is eternal," "There is an obligation to worship God alone," "The Torah is God's revelation to the prophet Moses," "Coming of the Messiah," and "The Resurrection of the Dead" are among the topics covered in scriptures (Brink & Carmody 139).

Finally, there is no apocalyptic event or resurrection of the dead in Hinduism. Judaism believes there will be a battle between good and evil that will end the world. All who are saved will go with God. Only God's chosen people enter Heaven, the spiritual dimension of the afterlife. "The Messianic Age is a period in human history that will be initiated when the Messiah comes. At that time the righteous dead will be resurrected, but the wicked will not" (Jewish 1).

Hinduism and Judaism are two distinct religions with their own views on the concept of an afterlife. The similarities and differences between them demonstrate that there is no single way to obtain salvation; rather it is contingent on a variety of factors including both faith and morals. Each religion-through its teachings and rituals-offers followers an answer to the question of what happens and how to flourish after death.

WORKS CITED:

Brink, T.L. & Carmody, Denise L. Ways to the Center. Thomson Wadsworth: Belmont, CA. 2006.

"Jewish Beliefs on the Afterlife." 17 October. 2008.

http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/beliefs/afterlife.htm

Jayaram V. "Hinduism, Life After Death and Planes of Existence." 17 October 2008.

http://www.hinduwebsite.com/heavenhell.asp