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Buddhists/hell and reincarnation

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Expert: - 1/13/2009


Question
do buddists believe in hell? I practice buddism people have told me I'm going to hell for worshiping false gods. I replied how can i go to hell when there is no hell another girl that practices buddism said she disagrees and there is a hell. I know i should know the answer already. I'm just checking because i can't find anything that mentions "hell" in any teachings

Answer
Hi Erik,
I think we can safely assume that some forms of existence are terrible. Many Buddhists do in fact call the worst of these "hells".
They are not like Christian ideas of hell because, like any other birth, they are temporary, though it is said that some can last a very long time.
So the answer is clear - yes and no!
I hope that helps
AW

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Alex Wilding

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I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.

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I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice. I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.

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My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.

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