Here are some more examples of a differing beliefs, across the various faith traditions, with
one underlying truth. Note that I do not say
one IDENTICAL truth - for though I believe that, and believe in it for the same reasons that you point to a First Cause, Thomas ... we can
at best point out the similarities of belief
and then leave it up to the reader/experiencer to arrive at the same recognition/realization. No true understanding can be forced!
What occurred to me earlier today are the teachings on a life after death as found universally within
all religious traditions. Consider that what is presented is always the idea that our experience as a conscious entity
continues after the transition called `death,' and that a
new journey is embarked upon - consisting of various stages, involving a meeting with various types of holy figures or `gods,' and leading one through numerous
"layers" or worlds of postmortem existence. It is this last aspect of the journey upon which I would like to focus, providing a few examples. Maybe others will add ...
TIBETAN BUDDHISM
The various layers or levels of the Bardo (meaning `
between two' - the gap between two births)
These levels are divided into SIX states according to the Tibetan Book of the Dead (
Bardo Thodol),
three of which are relevant here:
the bardo of the moment before death, the bardo of dharmata, and the bardo of becoming. For more info, consult the source (Evans-Wentz).
EGYPTIAN Teachings
Sekhet-hetep, Amenti, also Sekhet-aanre, `The Fields of the Reeds'
The deceased enters the first region as a khu, performing duties as in life. Then he is led by Anubis to the Hall of Osiris where he is judged by
42 judges (
highly symbolic) and his heart is weighed by Maat as against a feather. Those who are ready pass to the fields of Aalu, much as the Buddhist
Nirvana. The rest pass to the lower regions of Amenti.
HINDUISM
The concept of seven lokas (meaning `place' or `locality') - 2 1/2 in particular being the abode of the dead
The lowest of these is Bhur-loka (`earth'), and the deceased pass through
Bhur-loka,
Bhuvar-loka (`air') or Antarloka, Svar-loka (`heaven-world') or Svargaloka, Mahar-loka (`world of delight'), Janar-loka (`birth-world'), Tapo-loka (`devotion-world') or Taparloka, and finally,
Satya-loka (`truth-world' or `reality-world'). Out of these
seven worlds, it must be explicity understood that even the most enlightened of
average Humanity do not pass beyond the
Svarloka, or
3rd lowest world, before returning to rebirth. Only the saints and rishis have consciousness in and of the four higher worlds ...
THEOSOPHY
The existence of Seven Planes of Being - or interpenetrating worlds of existence, 2 1/2 in particular being the abode of the dead
Theosophy echoes the Vedic teachings in emphasizing that upon death, we inhabit
briefly the higher ethers of the physical world - in what is called the
linga sarira (`impermanent model- or pattern-body') or `etheric body.' We then withdraw to
kamaloka (`place of desire'), popularly known as the `
astral or emotional plane.' The term
`astral' was chosen by medieval alchemists simply because it means "starry," due to the fact that astral substance
slightly glows of its own accord. The astral journey can last months, years, or even decades, but souls universally arrive in
Devachan (state of `possessing happiness'). This is identical with the
`Pure Land' of Theravadin Buddhism, and is said to last from a few moments to well over 1,000 years, prior to rebirth. Devachan is
also identical with the various portions of the plane of
Mind - and again, normal human evolution does not transcend this level between births. Higher worlds include the
Buddhic/Intuitional, Nirvanic/Atmic, Monadic and
Divine - with their correspondences in Hinduism.
CHRISTIANITY
Realms of Purgatory, followed by `Heaven' and `Hell'
Though some may object that only Catholicism emphasizes the existence of a Purgatory, and though I may draw fire for stating this, I would suggest that this is
essentially the same truth as mentioned above. The
earliest stages of postmortem existence
must needs include a gradual purging and cleansing of the coursest human vibrations and tendencies. Thus the commonality of teachings, since this is
exactly what the lower astral realms, and the earliest stages of the
Bardo, are all about. Likewise, the existence of
hellish experiences for us all - of greater or lesser duration & intensity according to the strength of the corresponding
"sins" - is a UNIVERSAL experience for the soul upon death (
souls are not `Christian' or otherwise, they are REDEEMED or otherwise - with all possible stages in between). Finally, an experience of timeless, blissful
`Heaven' is sure to eventually follow, wherein each soul receives
according to its own merit, just as in the case of the earlier "hell-experience." And of course, all but the fully
Redeemed must again "GO OUT." Such is the Truth and the Law, inviolable - though either perfectly or imperfectly understood ... and usually a bit toward the latter.
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I would stop here because these are the religions and belief systems which have impacted me most directly, and with which I resonate most readily. I am unfamiliar with the Koran, Torah/Kabbalah, with Bahai teachings and with Zoroastrianism ... though each of these, and other faiths, must
surely teach something with regard to the life after death. I would be interested to see where commonalities lie in terms of a
layered progression through the various realms of postmortem existence.
I know, for example, that there is the concept of the
Elysian Fields (plus Olympus and Hades) as found in Greek Mythology, corresponding rather obviously with the numbered realms of the astral plane & Heaven-worlds, plus the lower astral (
hellishness) & purgatory. There was a recent thread (on Judaism?) about the Hebrew Gehenna/She'ol, also a correspondence to Purgatory - at least in the case of Gehenna/Gei'Hinnom. And then there is the Norse Valhalla, and other mythologies that I have missed ...
Again, I do not say that there aren't variations, but I trust that those with eyes to see and ears to hear ... can distinguish & discern, and are not deceived by the variations in presentation.
Namaskar,
taijasi