The Meanings of DeathWhile recognising the limitations of a book about death, where words are sometimes used which cannot bear the weight, John Bowker here puts forward, with integrity and honesty, a compelling case for the creative significance of death, and shows how value and dignity can be maintained at the limits of life without an illusory search for compensation. The author's view is that the religious exploration of death has nothing to do (as has often been maintained) with the projection of compensating paradises to those who cannot face the reality of oblivion; it has everything to do, however, with the affirmation of value, right up to the boundary of death. By examining the themes of sacrifice and friendship, in both eastern and western contexts, Bowker argues that in both these themes there are points of vital contact with secular understandings of death, and that religious and secular interpretations can reinforce and support one another in the human response to death. A recovery of the value of death, the author maintains, is important for all of us, not least in how we come to react to bereavement and in the treatment of the terminally ill in hospital and hospice work. 'Bowker shows, in a way which is impressive and moving, that death is integral to life, and that the acceptance of one's own death can be seen as a positive acceptance of the larger life of the universe' - John Hick. |
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action affirmation already ancestors anthropology atman atonement attain become belief Biblical blood body Brahman breath Buddha Buddhism certainly Christ Christian clear condition consciousness consequence context continuity dead person described dharma domain dukkha earth eternal Eucharist evil example existence exploration of death extremely fact father fire Freud ghost Gita give gods grave Greek Hadith happened heaven hell Hindu Hinduism human imagination important interpretation Islam Israel Jahannam Jesus Jewish Jews jiva Judaism judgement karma karmic khandhas least literal living Lord manifestation means Muhammad Muslim nafs Nakhi nature nibbana nirvana offered one's Pali Canon particular possible prayer preta punishment Quran realise reality rebirth recognise regarded religion religious explorations remains resurrection rites ritual sacrifice Sadducees salvation Sariputta Scripture sense Sheol simply soul summarised Surely Testament theme things Torah tradition truth understanding of death universe Upanishads Vedas Vedic vinnana words Worlds of Faith Yahweh Yama yoga