What is a good thesis statement on Buddhist afterlife and death?

by runforyourlife90

Question by ramsikl on "Buddhist":

I'm supposed to write a research paper and have a good arguable thesis on view of dying, death, and the afterlife of Buddhism. My paper should prove my thesis and contain examples of the point I'm making from teaching, rituals and practices of Buddhism. I'm Buddhist myself... but I need someone's opinion on what could be interesting, as I can't tell what others that are not Buddhist would like to know. Thank you.

Best Answer:

Answer by 1Oᴄᴀᴎᴇ ④①⑤
As an outsider looking in (Christian who has studied Buddhism): - Point out the very unique Buddhist teaching concerning reincarnation; that there is no soul or self that transmigrates, rather the psycho-sensual constructs that condition our experience (the skhandas) of the self are what reincarnates. Too many people unfamiliar with Buddhism think that it holds to the same view on reincarnation as the Hindus. It's imperative that you point out that Buddhists do not believe in a soul that is permanent. The soul dies with the body. - Point out that the Buddha was a staunch empiricist concerning all things metaphysical. He advocated a cause-effect relationship concerning nearly everything under the sun. (What the Buddha called "the Doctrine of Dependent Arising") - Point out that the Buddha *refused* to answer questions concerning an alleged afterlife, the cosmos, and the origin of life. The Buddha felt that even having the answer to these questions didn't in any way diminish human suffering and so were inconsequential. Even if they were consequential, the Buddha recognized that in all reality, the human mind is not in the capacity to answer such questions. As far as your thesis statement is concerned, that would depend on what exact point you're trying to make. Since a thesis is supposed to be highly specific, I can't exactly give you one without knowing in which direction your paper will proceed.

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