Death Definition Essay

The simplest definition of death is when a living thing permanently ceases being alive. Scientifically, the definition of death is when the vital biological functions which keep a living thing alive are irreversibly discontinued. These functions could include breathing, brain activity and heartbeat. The definition of death is different for certain cultures and religions however considering the definition of death depends on an individual’s definition of life. The meaning of death for Catholics is the separation of the body and the immortal soul. The body decomposes whilst the soul goes to particular judgement, which is when the soul immediately meets God and is judged by him. Death for Hindus is the separation of the Atman (the immaterial element

of a person, the Hindu equivalent of a soul) from the body. Depending on the actions of that person in that particular life, they either are reincarnated, and the cycle of Samsara continues, or they achieve liberation and unity with the Supreme Being Brahman.

In Catholic belief, soul is the immortal element of a human being. It cannot be killed, and is the source of humankind’s ability to reason and make decisions. This particular belief shows a certain similarity between Catholicism and Hinduism because like Catholics, Hindus believe that the soul is the source of human consciousness and awareness, and without it human beings could not exist as complete wholes. A Bible passage that symbolically explains the differences between body and soul is Genesis 2:7, which reads “the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” . In Hindu sacred texts, the belief is shown to be similar with the passage “That which pervades the entire body (the soul, or Atman) is indestructible.” - Bhagavad-gita 2.17. These passages show similarities between both religions and the difference between the material and immaterial parts of human beings. For both Hindus and Catholics the belief in a soul of some kind is closely linked with the teaching of life after death because of the immortality and indestructibility of the soul. Because the soul can never die, this indicates the continuation of the existence of individual people after worldly death has occurred.

The soul is compared to a drop of water and liberation to its merging into the vast ocean which represents the Supreme Soul (God).

According to the advaita schools, the soul and God are equal in every respect, and liberation entails realisation of one's Godhood. Thus, one's mistaken sense of individuality is dissolved, and one merges into the all-pervading Supreme.

Particular judgement in Catholic belief is the event that occurs after a person has died and the soul has separated from the body.

While the body decomposes, the soul ascends to Heaven to meet God, and is given a choice as to whether to accept or reject the salvation of God. This belief is closely linked with the belief in life after death because in Catholic belief the soul is immortal, therefore after death the soul must live on. After bodily death, the soul goes to either Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory. Hell, according to Catholic belief, is a state of everlasting separation of the soul from God. Those who commit a mortal sin (that is a sin of a grave matter, committed willingly by the sinner, and with the sinner’s full awareness of the sin they are committing) and do not repent before their earthly life is over will be sentenced to eternal suffering in Hell. Purgatory is a place where souls which are not pure enough to enter the holiness of Heaven go. These people are willing to accept the love and grace of God, but their souls must be completely purified before they can ascend to Heaven. Heaven, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is ‘the ultimate and and fulfilment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness’. Heaven is different for Catholics, and it is considered a state of complete happiness and peace, whereas Moksha, or ‘liberation’ for Hindus is the state of being one with the Supreme Being Brahman. Heaven and Moksha are considerably different, but similar because for Catholics and Hindus achieving liberation or ascending to Heaven is their ultimate goal, and all their actions are performed in order to increase the likelihood of them achieving these goals. In Hindu tradition, the teaching of Moksha is related to Atman because of the nature of the unity which a liberated soul achieves. Although the majority of Hindus believe Moksha is the state of unity with God, some believe the soul remains distinct from God and

is united in purpose and service to him, whereas others who follow the advaita tradition believe the soul sheds all false understandings of individuality and realises the complete sameness of the soul and the Supreme Being.