Is There Hereafter? Beliefs about the Afterlife in World Religions (ePub)

Spanning across 19 chapters, each section of the book is dedicated to exploring the unique perspectives on life after death as seen in major world religions, as well as in less widely known spiritual traditions.

Chapter 1, the Introduction, sets the stage for the journey through various religious beliefs. It provides an overview of the book's purpose and the importance of understanding diverse afterlife concepts.

Chapter 2 focuses on Hinduism, discussing the concept of Samsara, the cycle of rebirth. It explains how Hindus believe in a continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation, influenced by one's actions (karma) in their current and past lives.

Buddhism is the focus of Chapter 3, where the book examines the Buddhist path to Nirvana. It describes how Buddhists strive to escape the cycle of suffering and rebirth through enlightenment.

In Chapter 4, the book explores Judaism's belief in the World to Come (Olam Haba), detailing how traditional Jewish teachings approach the concept of an afterlife.

Christianity's belief in Heaven and Hell is covered in Chapter 5. The chapter discusses the Christian view of afterlife as a final destination of souls based on their earthly lives, as per the teachings of the Bible.

Chapter 6 delves into Islam and its teachings on the afterlife, including the concepts of Jannah (paradise) and Jahannam (hell) as places of reward and punishment.

Sikhism and its belief in Mukti, the union with the Divine, is the subject of Chapter 7. The chapter explains the Sikh pursuit of spiritual growth leading to the merging of the soul with the divine.

In Chapter 8, the book examines Zoroastrianism and its teachings about the judgment of souls, highlighting the religion's dualistic view of good and evil.

Chapter 9 discusses the Bahá'í Faith and its view of the soul's eternal progress after death, detailing how Bahá'ís perceive the afterlife as a spiritual journey.

Jainism's concept of Moksha, or liberation of the soul, is explored in Chapter 10. The book discusses how Jains believe in the soul's release from the cycle of rebirth through right living.

Chapter 11 shifts focus to Shintoism and its veneration of Kami, ancestral spirits. The chapter looks at how Shinto beliefs intertwine with Japanese culture and history.

Taoism and its teachings on the immortality of the soul are the focus of Chapter 12, exploring the ancient Chinese religion's perspective on life after death.

Indigenous Religions and their ancestral connections are explored in Chapter 13, offering insight into the diverse and rich traditions of indigenous peoples worldwide.

Chapter 14 discusses African Traditional Religions and their unique views on the afterlife, showcasing the rich spiritual heritage of the African continent.

In Chapter 15, the book examines Native American spirituality and its beliefs about the spirit world, providing a glimpse into the deeply spiritual and nature-centric views of Native American tribes.

Spiritism and communication with the spirit realm are the subjects of Chapter 16. This chapter discusses the belief in the ability to communicate with the spirits of the deceased.

Rastafarianism and its belief in eternal life in Zion are explored in Chapter 17. The chapter delves into how Rastafarians view the afterlife and their spiritual connection to Africa.

Chapter 18 focuses on Wicca and its teachings on the cycle of reincarnation, exploring how modern Wiccans view life, death, and rebirth.

Lastly, Chapter 19 revisits Shintoism, further examining its beliefs about Kami and ancestral spirits.