Buddhism Interpretations of Death

Popular types of Buddhism

Theravada Southeast Asia

Mahayana

Korea

China

Japan

Nepal

Tantrayana

Tibet

Mongolia

Parts of Siberia

All have common heritage Siddhartha GautamaThe Enlightned One

Buddha

Experience Nirvana

Ultimate goal

Nirvana is a state of consciousness

Property ofNeither existence

Not nonexistence

State ofPeace

Freedom from miseries of constantly changing illusionExistence

Place beyond human understanding

Kinds of death for living

Physical DeathExperience life again through transmigration

Enlightenment & Peace

Meet present moment withMindfulness

Reflection

Ultimate happiness

Peace

Fulfillment

EnlightenmentAccept impermanence of

Life

Relationships

Desirable things

Let go of

Four Noble Truths

All human existence is characterized by

Pain

Suffering

Endless cycle ofDeath

Rebirth

Cause of agony of the human condition Desire for personal satisfaction Impossible to obtain

Salvation comes by destroying these desires Complete distraction of ignoranceLeads to enlightenment

Breaks cycle of transmigration of soul

Perfect peace achieved through Eightfold path to enlightenment

Ethics Sila

Meditation Samadhi

Jointly purifyMotivation

Mind

Leads to

Attainment of Wisdom Prajna

Enlightenment Bodhi

Nirvana

Blowing Out

Release from reincarnation cycle

Mystical transcendence

Buddhism encouraging detachment from

Striving for living

Holding onto relationship

Attempting to avoidPain

Sadness