My uncle Kiichi Yamada passed away early 12/6/2012 at age 69. Although he is said to have passed away in his sleep, it is a shame to hear such news. He was a good man. He was very kind to my family when my father had a stroke and some hard times followed. He hosted a party for us when we got married and were in Japan last year.
This morning with great sadness I sent a condolence card to his family. I pray for him and for his family.
This morning with great sadness I sent a condolence card to his family. I pray for him and for his family.
This recent incident made me ask a terribly fundamental question, "Where do we go when we die?"
As I know there are many theories and assertions made by various religions and philosophers.
What we humans commonly have, eventually, is physical death. "On a long enough timeline the survival rate of everyone drops to zero," according to Fight Club. Even a very religious guy may have a hard time arguing against this premise. Certainly, the matter which constitutes our body remains in this world and may be recycled. But I don't think we call the matter "us" anymore.
So, the following argument relies on a premise that we have something else, a soul, or an entity that may (or may not) retain our individuality. And the title question can be rephrased to "Where do our souls go when we die?"
If we do not accept the premise, presence of a soul, the argument will be simpler. As the body dies, we cease to exist. We disappear.
So, destination-wise, there are only two major possibilities:
"(A) A person as the soul goes to another world (afterlife), or (B) We disappear."
(A) "Another world" can be one of the following three.
(1) Somewhere better (i.e. Heaven)
(2) Somewhere worse or torturous (i.e. Hell, Purgatory)
(3) Somewhere in this world (you reincarnate to someone or something else and live a life somewhat similar to this life; the "parallel world" theory may be a variation of this theory)
In this "another world" theory, usually the sorting process is taken care of by a god or a deity (e.g. The God, Jesus, Buddha, King Yama, Allah, Hades, etc). How long it takes for the sorting can vary depending on the religion. One may stay dead for a long time until Judgment day comes, or after an unspecified amount of time (short or long) one goes on to his next destination.
Theory (B) "We disappear," is common among not-so-religious people, including atheists, agnostics, secular people and scientists. This theory is a valid interpretation of what we can "see".
Some cultures favor one answer over others. Most religions accept the existence of a soul and discuss destinations and afterlife. As we grow up and see someone significant die, we acquire and/or choose an answer. Since no one yet has physically died for sure and came back to life to tell his story in a credible manner, we have to live with theories without knowing a solid answer (we will know when we die, won't we?).
Every time someone close to me dies, I think about this question, knowing I will not get a solid answer but possibly a change in my perception.
But every time someone close dies, I am also reminded of the fact that this world is for us, the living. Where the dead go is actually god's business now, and may not be our business anymore. How we remember the dead, how they influenced us, and what ideas, notions, deeds, and actions the dead man left here, are more important.
Culturally speaking, Asian cultures seem to put more emphasis on continuing bonding with the dead. Probably it is a good thing. I will remember good things Uncle Kiichi-san did, and they will influence what I will do in this world's future. In a sense he still lives on.
