Afterlife

Is there life after death? At least once a year, people ponder this question. And in our heart of hearts, the answer, going by our beliefs and the traditions we observe, is yes.

The beliefs and traditions are widespread around the planet. Otherwise, why do many countries observe special days for the dead? Why do we remember our departed, and offer candles, flowers and prayers for their souls? In some societies, even food is offered.

The Chinese, Mexicans and several other societies believe that once a year, a portal is opened between two dimensions, during which the dead can visit the living. The dates generally coincide with harvest season so the dead – the “hungry ghosts” of China for example – can feed on the crops aside from the food offerings of their relatives.

Mexicans place water, food, family photos, and candles for each of the dead on an ofrenda or altar adorned with marigolds. Like the Chinese, the Mexicans light incense at the ofrenda.

Apart from maize, avocados and words such as palengke, there is one thing we share with Mexico: the observance of Nov. 1 and 2 as days for remembering our dearly departed.

Mexico, however, has turned its Dia de los Muertos into a grand festival, drawing tourists on the scale of the Brazilian Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

In 2008, the Mexican feast was added by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

* * * Dia de los Muertos was part of the storyline in the captivating film animation hit “Coco” and served as a spectacular setting for the opening scene of the James Bond movie “Spectre.”

The Mexican tradition goes thousands of years back to the Aztec period. Believed to coincide with the corn harvest, the pagan observance became imbued with Christian influences with the arrival of the Spanish Catholic conquistadores.

Our observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days hews closer to the Christian tradition. The remembrance revolves around the concept of Purgatory, a sort of holding station for souls that can be nudged faster on their way to Heaven by the prayers and offerings of the living.

We also offer candles and flowers to saints and martyrs, and occasionally food.

The Mexicans have special food for Dia de los Muertos: a sweet bread called pan de muerto, decorated with dough shaped like skulls and bones and sprinkled liberally with multicolored sanding sugar, and Italian-inspired sugar skulls.

* * * So far, what is creeping steadily into our culture is the annual celebration of All Hallows Eve, the western Halloween. Trick or treat is gaining popularity in gated subdivisions, hotels and especially shopping malls. Children love the ghoulish costumes and sweets.

Certain supermarket chains now sell different varieties of imported pumpkins, including the large ones that are carved to make jack-o-lanterns in the US.

I’ve been in the US during Halloween and it’s memorably enchanting, but Dia de los Muertos looks more exciting – and more similar to the way we Filipinos remember our dearly departed.

There’s a debate on whether Halloween is a Christian tradition or actually traces its roots to pagan Celtic practices. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has advised the faithful to remember the saints rather than propagate beliefs related to witchcraft and voodoo.

Nothing can stop Pinoys, however, from believing in ghosts and haunted houses. This is that time of year when people are free to talk about close encounters with the supernatural without being dismissed as loonies. There are many stories about loud footsteps in empty rooms, and doors banging in places without any wind.

Gatherings over graves are also opportunities for sharing stories about apparent visits by the dead, particularly those who have died suddenly or violently.

* * * Aside from warning the faithful against believing in witches and hexes, the bishops and other groups have also reminded the people that mourning is serious business, and grief is still fresh for many in the time of Tokhang and Double Barrel as well as for those affected by natural calamities.

For those grieving over their lost loved ones, there is comfort in the thought that the departed are not gone but have simply moved on to another level of existence, and that one day the dead and those mourning for them will one day be reunited.

Even the highly commercialized celebration of Halloween hews to the belief in the afterlife, which is among the concepts in Christianity.

The belief in eternal life is a powerful concept. It can make day-to-day living more bearable. It should also encourage us to be on our best behavior. Because if there is eternal life, there must also be eternal damnation.

If there is an afterlife, there must be a Day of Reckoning for what we have done in life.