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Difference between revisions of "Purgatory"
→Pre-Christian usage
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Purgatory pre-dates the specific Catholic tradition of purgatory as a transitional state or condition; it has a history that dates back before [[Jesus Christ]], to related beliefs also in [[Judaism]], that prayer for the dead contributes to their afterlife purification. Rabbinical Judaism believes in the possibility of after-death purification and may even use the word "purgatory" to describe the similar rabbinical concept of Gehenna, though Gehenna is also sometimes described as more similar to [[Hell]] or Hades. | Purgatory pre-dates the specific Catholic tradition of purgatory as a transitional state or condition; it has a history that dates back before [[Jesus Christ]], to related beliefs also in [[Judaism]], that prayer for the dead contributes to their afterlife purification. Rabbinical Judaism believes in the possibility of after-death purification and may even use the word "purgatory" to describe the similar rabbinical concept of Gehenna, though Gehenna is also sometimes described as more similar to [[Hell]] or Hades. | ||
The same practice appears in other traditions, such as the medieval Chinese [[Buddhist]] practice of making offerings on behalf of the dead, who are said to suffer numerous trials. | The same practice appears in other traditions, such as the medieval Chinese [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] practice of making offerings on behalf of the dead, who are said to suffer numerous trials. | ||
While Hell in [[Hinduism]] is not typically considered to be a central feature of the religion, it does exist. Hell for Hindus involves the realm of naraka. Naraka is not a permanent place for the soul after death, but a realm related to "punishment for moral impure deeds." | While Hell in [[Hinduism]] is not typically considered to be a central feature of the religion, it does exist. Hell for Hindus involves the realm of naraka. Naraka is not a permanent place for the soul after death, but a realm related to "punishment for moral impure deeds." | ||