Where Do People Come From and Where Do They Go? Buddhist Teachings
#buddha #buddhisminenglish #reincarnation #rebirth
There can be three answers to this question. Those who believe in one or more deities often argue that before being created, humans did not exist, and then humans were brought into the world by the will of a deity. That person lives their life, and after death, depending on what they believed or how they acted in life, will reside forever in heaven or perpetually in hell.
Others, the scientists, believe that each individual comes into existence at conception due to natural causes, lives their life, then dies, ceasing to exist.

Buddhism does not accept either of these explanations. The first interpretation raises many ethical issues. The most important thing to remember is that life is not a business transaction. If a wholly benevolent deity truly created each of us, it is hard to explain why so many are born with terrible deformities, or why so many infants must die in the womb or shortly after birth. Another issue with the deity explanation is the concept of one suffering eternally in hell for deeds done in merely 60 or 70 years on Earth, which seems vastly unfair. Sixty or seventy years without faith or poor morals does not deserve eternal punishment. Similarly, sixty or seventy years of a morally good life seems too short a time for eternal happiness in heaven.
Others, the scientists, believe that each individual comes into existence at conception due to natural causes, lives their life, then dies, ceasing to exist.

Buddhism does not accept either of these explanations. The first interpretation raises many ethical issues. The most important thing to remember is that life is not a business transaction. If a wholly benevolent deity truly created each of us, it is hard to explain why so many are born with terrible deformities, or why so many infants must die in the womb or shortly after birth. Another issue with the deity explanation is the concept of one suffering eternally in hell for deeds done in merely 60 or 70 years on Earth, which seems vastly unfair. Sixty or seventy years without faith or poor morals does not deserve eternal punishment. Similarly, sixty or seventy years of a morally good life seems too short a time for eternal happiness in heaven...