What does Sikhism teach about life after death?
Many Sikhs believe that WaheguruSikhs believe in one God called Waheguru which means ‘Wonderful Lord’ or ‘Wonderful Teacher’. lives inside everyone like a reflection in a mirror or fragrance within a flower
. The belief is that they will be purifyTo make ritually clean. and be able to return to Waheguru through a long series of reincarnationThe religious belief that existence is a cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth, and that the soul survives physical death and is reborn in a new body., possibly through up to 8,400,000 forms of life.
The belief is that:
- each reincarnation as human or animal is temporary
- as only humans can decide between right and wrong, their human life is the only time when the cycle of death and rebirthThe belief that some part of a person (perhaps their energy) passes into a new life form after death. can be broken
The escape from the cycle of death and rebirth is known as muktiThe freeing of the soul from rebirth/salvation/liberation..
karma/kammaActions, and the consequences of actions. An important concept in Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. or 'intentional action' is part of Sikh teaching. The hope is that through good action and by living a good life and keeping God in their minds, Sikhs can achieve good meritA beneficial influence built up through wholesome and skillful actions (karma), capable of affecting a person's future experience in this life and the next., and hope to avoid punishment.
Many Sikhs believe that:
- achieving a good rebirth improves their chances of re-uniting with God
- God unites with those he is pleased with
- when they have been united with Waheguru, the cycle of birth and death ends, suffering ends and the whole cycle is broken
Why do Sikhs believe in life after death?
The main source of authority for Sikhs is the Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib is the most important Sikh holy book. It is a collection of songs, prayers and hymns from the Sikh Gurus and other holy men, as well as teachings from other faiths. It is treated as a living Guru., which contains teachings on both the cycle of death and rebirth and on how to be released from it.
Those who meditate on God attain liberation. For them, the cycle of birth and death has been completed.
Belief in life after death may be influenced by the meaning and purpose it lends to the lives of many Sikhs.
