Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
Latest Questions
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Is belief in an afterlife a sine qua non for being a Buddhist?
I’m wondering to what extent belief in some form of afterlife is necessary for one to be considered a Buddhist. Specifically, are beliefs in otherworldly realms such as svargaloka (heaven), pitriloka (spirit world), and naraka lokas (hell), as well as the idea of rebirth or reincarnation, central an...
I’m wondering to what extent belief in some form of afterlife is necessary for one to be considered a Buddhist. Specifically, are beliefs in otherworldly realms such as svargaloka (heaven), pitriloka (spirit world), and naraka lokas (hell), as well as the idea of rebirth or reincarnation, central and non-negotiable within the Buddhist tradition?
Is it possible to identify as a Buddhist while setting aside these cosmological elements, perhaps viewing them symbolically or metaphorically rather than literally? Or are these beliefs foundational in such a way that rejecting them would place someone outside the bounds of what can meaningfully be called Buddhism?
user30831
Jul 8, 2025, 02:02 PM
• Last activity: Jul 8, 2025, 10:02 PM
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Can you cross into another dimension
My partner committed suicide 2 weeks ago. I have managed to visit him when I'm sleeping (dreaming) and when I see him everything is normal until I have to wake up and we are both saying how much we are going to miss each other because we know when I wake up he won't be there anymore. This isn't ever...
My partner committed suicide 2 weeks ago.
I have managed to visit him when I'm sleeping (dreaming) and when I see him everything is normal until I have to wake up and we are both saying how much we are going to miss each other because we know when I wake up he won't be there anymore.
This isn't every night I have lucid dreams about a lot of places. I would really love to see him more and possibly just cross over if I can to be with him all the time.
Louise Howard
(1 rep)
Sep 10, 2024, 06:36 AM
• Last activity: Sep 17, 2024, 11:45 PM
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Talking to dead loved ones
💚Could talking with dead loved ones be in line with the proper practice of the Buddha? If proper practice permits talking to dead loved ones, then what is the proper way to talk to dead loved ones and/or the improper way to talk to dead loved ones?
💚Could talking with dead loved ones be in line with the proper practice of the Buddha? If proper practice permits talking to dead loved ones, then what is the proper way to talk to dead loved ones and/or the improper way to talk to dead loved ones?
Lowbrow
(7349 rep)
Oct 7, 2022, 09:03 AM
• Last activity: Jun 19, 2024, 05:06 AM
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Reunion with the loved one after death and in next life
My spiritual bonding and connection are very strong with my lovely mother who has passed away. We both have tremendous love for each other. 1. Can we be reunited again in the next life? Can she be born as my daughter/son & Can I be born as her son/daughter again? 2. After my death and before the new...
My spiritual bonding and connection are very strong with my lovely mother who has passed away. We both have tremendous love for each other.
1. Can we be reunited again in the next life? Can she be born as my daughter/son & Can I be born as her son/daughter again?
2. After my death and before the new birth, can I get to meet and talk with my mom (as the Tibetan book of the dead and many NDEs suggest you can meet the loved one after death)
Kanad
(31 rep)
Jan 13, 2023, 12:10 AM
• Last activity: Jun 21, 2023, 07:25 PM
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Why does Buddhism use the word "realm" when describing one of the different races?
Why is this word used? It's very confusing and makes it sound like you are reborn into a world and not as a different race of being or a human again? Like saying "rebirth in the human realm" to me could sound like I am reborn as an animal and live among humans. Why not use the word races or species...
Why is this word used? It's very confusing and makes it sound like you are reborn into a world and not as a different race of being or a human again?
Like saying "rebirth in the human realm" to me could sound like I am reborn as an animal and live among humans.
Why not use the word races or species to described the 6 options of rebirth?
Orionixe
(310 rep)
Mar 8, 2023, 05:16 AM
• Last activity: Mar 8, 2023, 11:39 PM
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Place of death and rebirth
I'm reading about bardos in the Tibetan Book of the dead. I'm wondering how is rebirth dependent on geographical location. For example, if dead occurs in Europe is it possible to get a rebirth in Asia? Is there any decision point for the deceased regarding parents or all happens depending only on pa...
I'm reading about bardos in the Tibetan Book of the dead. I'm wondering how is rebirth dependent on geographical location. For example, if dead occurs in Europe is it possible to get a rebirth in Asia? Is there any decision point for the deceased regarding parents or all happens depending only on past karma? Do we chose rebirth location and parents or not?
aaa
(41 rep)
Nov 12, 2021, 02:26 PM
• Last activity: Mar 7, 2023, 03:06 AM
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Life after death in buddhism
What is the main basic difference between Hinduism and Buddhism regarding Life after death ?
What is the main basic difference between Hinduism and Buddhism regarding Life after death ?
quanity
(298 rep)
Aug 4, 2022, 12:34 PM
• Last activity: Aug 4, 2022, 07:54 PM
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Can new beings come into existence without this existence being a rebirth?
Can beings that have come into existence that have never been reborn before, like comes into existence without that existence being a rebirth, or "its first birth". Or is every being's existence a rebirth and nothing new can be "created". Like a set number of souls or spirits that just recycle throu...
Can beings that have come into existence that have never been reborn before, like comes into existence without that existence being a rebirth, or "its first birth".
Or is every being's existence a rebirth and nothing new can be "created".
Like a set number of souls or spirits that just recycle through rebirth
no new souls/spirits can be created and start the cycle?
Orionixe
(310 rep)
Apr 10, 2022, 02:19 AM
• Last activity: Apr 10, 2022, 11:11 PM
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How to stop thinking about metaphysical questions?
I have been practicing seriously for a month now. I'm mindful a lot of the time but not 100% yet and whenever I'm not I start thinking about metaphysical questions or what could be after death or if it is nothing etc. How can I stop this? Or how to stop thinking about something in general when you d...
I have been practicing seriously for a month now. I'm mindful a lot of the time but not 100% yet and whenever I'm not I start thinking about metaphysical questions or what could be after death or if it is nothing etc. How can I stop this? Or how to stop thinking about something in general when you don't want to? For some reason I can't be equanimous with metaphysical questions. They run through my head like there's no tomorrow and nothing more important than that. It's quite annoying. Would noting help?
buddhismcuriousity
(113 rep)
May 2, 2020, 09:24 PM
• Last activity: Oct 8, 2021, 11:46 AM
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How does rebirth fit with the fact that everything is impermanent?
One of the lessons Buddhism teaches is that everything is impermanent. Our thoughts, our feelings, our emotions, our bodies, our life. Everything. We are surrounded by death. We are mortals. There is an end to this. However, Buddhism also has the concept of rebirth. Karma follows you not just in thi...
One of the lessons Buddhism teaches is that everything is impermanent. Our thoughts, our feelings, our emotions, our bodies, our life. Everything. We are surrounded by death. We are mortals. There is an end to this.
However, Buddhism also has the concept of rebirth. Karma follows you not just in this life but in your next. It's also said that the Buddha gained the ability to recall his previous lives. This to me implies some sort of a soul (for lack of a better word), condition, or consciousness that is not impermanent. After you die you get reborn. There is an "you" that transcends the current (impermanent) existence.
I guess, my question is, is there some sort of a soul, consciousness, or a condition, that is not impermanent? When one reaches enlightenment (nirvana) and stops the cycle of rebirths, what happens to them?
Pips
(149 rep)
Feb 12, 2020, 05:47 PM
• Last activity: Feb 14, 2020, 02:52 PM
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Do Buddhists talk about insides?
Buddhists talk about abstract and concrete things, particulars, parts and wholes, etc., and Theravada Buddhism is often I think thought of in terms of an analysis of parts, breaking things down into smaller components and the Buddhist 'dharma'. But do they talk about "insides" at all? I'm asking bec...
Buddhists talk about abstract and concrete things, particulars, parts and wholes, etc., and Theravada Buddhism is often I think thought of in terms of an analysis of parts, breaking things down into smaller components and the Buddhist 'dharma'.
But do they talk about "insides" at all?
I'm asking because surely everything with a beginning has an inside, but death, which must occur and so begin, can't have an inside in at least some senses, at least supposing that there is no after-life.
user2512
Dec 29, 2019, 09:20 PM
• Last activity: Dec 29, 2019, 11:06 PM
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How can people meet again after rebirth?
Prince Siddhartha & Princess Yashodhara met in a lot of lives as partners. How are people intended to meet their present life relations in the next life? Is the desire needed to be wished upon?
Prince Siddhartha & Princess Yashodhara met in a lot of lives as partners. How are people intended to meet their present life relations in the next life? Is the desire needed to be wished upon?
Amaani
(313 rep)
Sep 13, 2019, 07:12 AM
• Last activity: Sep 17, 2019, 12:26 AM
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What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism? Is it nirvana?
What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism? Why should a person practice Buddhism, what will it provide to him? Various religions have various goals. For example, the ultimate goal in Christianity is everlasting life in Heaven through faith in Jesus Christ, while in Islam the ultimate goal is Jannah (Par...
What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism? Why should a person practice Buddhism, what will it provide to him? Various religions have various goals. For example, the ultimate goal in Christianity is everlasting life in Heaven through faith in Jesus Christ, while in Islam the ultimate goal is Jannah (Paradise). In Hinduism the ultimate goal is moksha, which means becoming one with the Brahma after death. But what is the ultimate goal of Buddhism? Is it nirvana? If it's nirvana then it doesn't seem to be a very great goal. The goal to achieve nirvana is basically dying and never coming back, because Buddhism believes in rebirth and the cycle of samsara, which it believes is filled with sorrow and suffering. Hence to put an end to this constant cycle of sorrow and suffering one should try to achieve nirvana. Am I correct??
Stephen
(21 rep)
Dec 17, 2018, 12:28 PM
• Last activity: Dec 17, 2018, 07:56 PM
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Non duality and eternal life
Is there really any evidence that anything goes beyond death ? By that I mean our self awareness. That our awareness transcends death? I know there is absolutely no concrete evidence of reincarnation. I'm not denying its possible. Just denying there is any scientific evidence However i have read cla...
Is there really any evidence that anything goes beyond death ? By that I mean our self awareness. That our awareness transcends death? I know there is absolutely no concrete evidence of reincarnation. I'm not denying its possible. Just denying there is any scientific evidence
However i have read claims that the self aware part of us-the part thats aware we are thinking goes beyond death and was here before birth ? Is there any hard evidence for this ?
Barryseeker
(159 rep)
Jul 7, 2018, 03:07 PM
• Last activity: Sep 26, 2018, 06:01 PM
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