RELIGION, LONGEVITY, AND IMMORTALITY
A comparative exploration gives us a true perspective of life and its mysteries.
By Sambratha
14/10/24
India is a land rich in religious and philosophical diversity, where various traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, and Christianity have shaped how people perceive life, death, and the idea of immortality. Across these traditions and others globally, Longevity and immortality have been interpreted through different spiritual lenses, offering profound insights into the human quest for eternal existence.
In an article published online in the US National Library of Medicine (11 Feb 2024), its authors, Ligia J. Dominguez, Nicola Veronese, and Mario Barbagallo
, claim that while there is no definitive scientific evidence linking directly spirituality and Longevity, some research suggests that spiritual practices and beliefs may have indirect effects on physical and mental health, which could potentially contribute to longer life spans.
For example, meta-analyses indicate that some factors connected to spirituality, such as purpose in life and life satisfaction, are associated with 17 per cent and 12 per cent reduced mortality risk, respectively. Contrariwise, social isolation and loneliness have been associated with 29% and 26% increased mortality risk, respectively. Religious service attendance was also associated with a lower risk of death from despair (related to drugs, alcohol, and suicide) among healthcare professionals. Attending a religious service more than once per week was associated with 33% lower all-cause mortality in women compared with those who had never attended religious services
How Religions Look at Longevity
In Hinduism, the concept of Longevity is intertwined with karma and dharma—one’s actions and moral duty. Life is viewed as cyclical, with the soul (Atman) being eternal, continuously reborn until it reaches moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Immortality in Hinduism is not about physical endurance but the realization of the soul's eternal nature.
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"For the soul, there is neither birth nor death at any time. It has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. It is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primaeval."(Bhagavad Gita 2.20) |
In Christianity, immortality is seen as a gift given to the faithful after death. The central event of Jesus Christ's resurrection symbolizes victory over death and the promise of eternal life in heaven for believers. Physical death is a passage into eternal life, where spiritual immortality is granted through divine grace.
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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) |
In Islam, life is considered a test determining one's fate in the afterlife. Immortality is granted to the faithful on the Day of Judgment when they are promised eternal life in paradise. Good deeds, unwavering faith, and devotion to Allah lead to eternal rewards.
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“Every soul shall taste death: In the end, to Us shall ye be brought back.” The Holy Quran 29:57 |
Buddhism does not teach the concept of an eternal soul, but it speaks of nirvana, a state of liberation from the endless cycle of rebirth (samsara). Immortality in Buddhism refers to spiritual liberation—freedom from suffering and the impermanence of physical existence, achieved through wisdom and ethical living.
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“There is, monks, an unborn — unbecome — unmade — unfabricated. If there were not this unborn, unbecome, unmade, unfabricated, there would be no escape from what is born, become, made, fabricated.” (Udana 8.3) |
Mystical Objects
Throughout history, various mystical objects and spiritual concepts have emerged across cultures, symbolizing the quest for immortality and eternal life.
The Holy Grail is a sacred object in Christian mythology, often believed to be the cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. It has come to represent divine grace, eternal life, and spiritual enlightenment. Medieval legends describe knights embarking on quests to find the Grail, believing it to offer not just physical immortality but a deeper connection to God.The Grail represents both physical and spiritual immortality, signifying the search for divine truth and eternal union with Christ.
In Hindu mythology, Amrita is the nectar of immortality produced during the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean of Milk) by the gods and demons. It symbolizes eternal life and divine essence, consumed by the gods to attain immortality. The myth emphasizes that immortality is spiritual—attaining eternal peace and unity with the divine, not physical endlessness.
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“They who have performed penance, are wise, and drink the nectar of immortality (Amrita)…” (Rig Veda 10.13.4) |
The Elixir of Life
In both Eastern and Western alchemical traditions, the Elixir of Life or Philosopher’s Stone is believed to grant eternal life, health, and spiritual enlightenment. Alchemists sought this divine elixir as the ultimate key to immortality, representing not just physical Longevity but spiritual transcendence.
In Greek mythology, Ambrosia is the food or drink of the gods, granting them immortality. It is akin to the Amrita of Hinduism, symbolizing divine status and eternal life. Only the gods could consume Ambrosia, which kept them free from disease and ageing.Ambrosia represents immortality as both physical endurance and spiritual wisdom.
In the Vedic tradition, Soma is a sacred drink and deity closely linked to the moon and the gods. Sages and gods consumed Soma to attain Longevity, wisdom, and divine ecstasy. Soma represents not just physical endurance but the transcendence of the mortal experience through spiritual connection.
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“We have drunk Soma and become immortal; we have attained the light, the gods discovered.” (Rig Veda 8.48.3) |
The Tree of Life appears in many traditions, including the Bible, Quran, and ancient Mesopotamian mythology. In the Book of Genesis, the Tree of Life is in the Garden of Eden, and consuming its fruit would have granted Adam and Eve immortality. It symbolizes eternal existence, divine favour, and, in some interpretations, spiritual enlightenment.
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On either side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2) |
Conclusion
The quest for Longevity and immortality transcends religious and cultural boundaries, reflecting a universal human desire to transcend death and attain eternal peace or existence. Each tradition offers unique insights into the mysteries of life, death, and what lies beyond, reminding us of the shared human desire for meaning, peace, and, perhaps, eternal existence. The search for Longevity and immortality has long been a spiritual, philosophical, and even scientific pursuit across cultures, religions, and modern contexts.
