In Thailand, there was a very famous monk who was chosen to represent Thailand in 1954 at the 6th Buddhist council in Burma who did not believe in rebirth (and who many Thai *puthujjana* considered to be a heretic & sutta-cutter). His life ended by natural causes at 87 years old.
A certain Sangharaga (Supreme Patriarch) who taught 'heaven & hell' where cultural beliefs that represent 'ancient geography' lived for 100 years, as follows:
> *"As we are so familiar, in religious sphere, the concept of heaven and hell is a very prominent belief. In many cases, it becomes the
> goal of religious practice itself. On this very subject, His Holiness
> critically analyses that the very concept and belief of heaven and
> hell in Buddhism is a cultural influence of indigenous culture and
> belief. He states: (I quote) ‘the subject of cosmology appeared in
> Buddhism is clearly can be seen that it is not ‘Buddhist teaching’ at
> all but an ancient geography. The concept and belief about it was
> included in Buddhist Canon merely because of strong influence of
> popular belief of the time. Later Commentaries further explain about
> heaven and hell in a greater detail distant itself from the original
> teaching of the Buddha. If Buddhism teaches such belief on heaven and
> hell it would not be Buddhism at all but an ancient geography. Buddha
> wouldn’t be the Buddha who delivered the Noble Truth and ‘timeless’
> message for mankind.’ (p. 1) (end of the quote) He then shows in his
> teaching that the concept of heaven and hell in Buddhism are in fact
> symbolic, representing the quality of mind and spirituality instead.
> One can be in heaven and hell in this very earth and life. No need to
> wait until one dies..."*
>
>View on Heaven and Hell of Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, Supreme Patriarch of Thai Buddhism.
These monks with secular views lived to & died from old age.
Why do secular Buddhists not commit suicide?
Asked by Paraloka Dhamma Dhatu
(48153 rep)
Sep 13, 2017, 09:02 PM