REbirth or ETERNAL damnation?

I think the narrative of Buddha's life is more than a simple historical tale or a story of how he came to be known as the "Awakened One". The rides he takes into the city are, at least I believe, a very important part of the story. I think story of his life, resembles his transcendence. His father, the king had kept him with in the castle walls for 29 years and had attempted his best to keep the old and sick away from the public eye. And it is with these trips that Siddhartha learns about old age, sickness and death. Thus, he finally vies to search for liberation from all suffering, or what he later refers to attain nirvana. I think the story is a symbol for his teachings. It signifies that no matter hoe hard one tries to ignore the sad and dark realities of life, it will not make them go away.

The king attempted to shield his son from all the darkness of the real world by keeping him in with in the walls, which probably could be resembled for a barrier between ignorance and reality. I think Buddha's teachings are aimed at breaking this barrier and to aim in achieving liberation from suffering, which can only be attained true enlightenment and pursuit of truth. In the end all of it leads to living a good and ethical life, for one is judged in recarnation according to his previous life and deeds.

Recarnation and rebirth are, I think the most intriguing and probably most controversial in compared to other religions. It is interesting to compare it to doctrines of other monotheistic religions, which dictate that one is judged in the after life according to his actions, and will either suffer eternal damnation or eternal peace in heaven. However, the idea of recarnation aims at guiding individuals to be ethical and live a goood life fore the sake of their life here on earth, rather than ignoring their physical life on kingdom of men and aspire for eternal life in kingdom of god. And, I think in this simple comparison one sees how much more practical is the idea of recarnation and living a goood life for the sake of this life rather than live in fear of eternal damnation and striving for eternal peace regardless of the consequences of your actions in following dogmas that supposedly guarantee your place in heaven.

I think Buddhist teachings, as far as any religion, are most practical in living a good life. They aim at teaching the individual ethics and understanding to live a good life. It guides the individual to aspire for a ethical life and responsibility to all creations in this life and not give hope of peace and prosperity in some other life. Also, I think recarnation embodies the true essence of nature, it is in constant mode of continuation.