Read in Manga: What Happens After Suicide. 【Young Buddha】

March 28, 2025（Last Update: June 14, 2026）

"If I die, I can be free"――. In modern times, there are still many people who think this way and commit suicide. The number of suicides in Japan in 2023 was about 22,000.(Note: The number of suicides in 2024 was 20,268, the lowest level on record, while the number of suicides among children and students reached an all-time high.)

Even globally, Japan has a high suicide mortality rate, and the number of suicides among those in their 10s to 30s has increased compared to the previous year. This time, when we conducted street interviews in Tokyo, about 44% of young people responded that they have "thought about suicide." If you were to commit suicide, what would happen to you?

This month, we will explain the truths surrounding suicide and hints for turning your life around based on the teachings of Ryuho Okawa, the founder of Happy Science.

Reasons and true feelings of those in their 20s and 30s when they thought, "I want to commit suicide"

During high school, I was absent from school and thought, "Is it okay for me to be alive?" (Male, 20s)

When I was a student, I had an abortion and felt despair, thinking I wanted to die. (Female, 20s)

When I was under pressure at work to meet sales targets, I lacked confidence and didn't have the courage to quit, and I wanted to disappear. (Female, 20s)

When I was in elementary school, my friends teased me about my appearance, calling me "black pig," and I thought, "Is it okay for me to disappear?" and "Maybe I could be free if I jumped off." (Female, 30s)

Since I have no hope or dreams, I thought it would be okay to die. Also, I wouldn't have to pay back my debts. (Male, 30s)

At my previous workplace, I was verbally abused by my boss in front of others every week, which took a toll on my mental health, and I was troubled by thoughts of suicide. (Male, 20s)

After starting my job, I became busy and couldn't meet my friends, and I wondered, "What am I earning money for?" and "Is it really necessary to live if I'm struggling so hard for work?" (Male, 20s)

Concerns of young people reaching out to suicide prevention hotlines

● Common concerns among young people

We often receive emails from young people seeking advice. Many consider suicide due to heartbreak from infidelity or breakups, as well as issues related to parent-child relationships and the meaning of life. There are countless individuals who ponder, "Is life still worth it?" and contemplate suicide.

● Suicide does not bring relief

We talk to each individual about "how death is not the end" and "how suffering continues after suicide", and we provide personalized solutions to their problems. Many find peace when we discuss spiritual truths, which helps them refrain from suicide.

Chika Higashino, in charge of Happy Science's "Let's Reduce Suicide Campaign"
You are not alone. It's okay if you can't express yourself well, so please feel free to reach out via email or phone.
＞Contact information for Happy Science's "Suicide Prevention Consultation Desk" is here

Learning from the book "The Law of Mysteries"
What happens if you commit suicide?

Moya Suemichi, who contemplated suicide, arrives at the rooftop of a building...

Reference Book

The truth of "spiritual science" that overturns common sense of humanity.
"Life after death," "secrets of guardian spirits," "principles of possession," "principles of spiritual communication," "UFOs and spiritual science"――a bestseller that reveals the secrets of mysterious phenomena that modern civilization has sealed away from multiple perspectives.

▼For more videos about life after suicide, click here▼

"Let It Be - The Scary Things Are, Indeed, Scary" open_in_new
Original work and planning by Ryuho Okawa ©ARI Production / 2023

A movie based on actual paranormal horror experiences. It vividly shows what happens to those who commit suicide after death.

"The Real Reasons You Shouldn't Commit Suicide - After Suicide" open_in_new

A short drama of eight minutes depicting the aftermath of one woman's suicide, revealing her suffering and the truth after death.

Explaining the manga
The truths surrounding suicide and the meaning of life

"I want to die" may not be your true feelings

As depicted in the manga, if you continue to hold onto negative feelings without resolving your troubles, you attract spirits with similar feelings. When the restless spirits of those who committed suicide possess you, your sadness and worries are amplified, leading to suicidal thoughts. It's important to take a moment to calm down so you don't mistake that for your true feelings.

Be cautious in these situations!
□ You hear voices saying, "I want to die" or "I'm suffering."
□ While looking out the window, you suddenly feel like jumping.

If you commit suicide, you will continue to suffer after death

People continue to live as souls even after death. If you die while carrying suffering, that suffering continues after death, which is the truth about suicide. Moreover, many who commit suicide do not realize they are dead and repeatedly attempt suicide in hopes of finding relief. They cannot attain peace until they recognize that life is eternal and that their original lifespan has come to an end.

Be cautious in these situations!
□ If I die, everything will be gone, and I will be freed from suffering.
□ After death, everyone goes to heaven and lives happily.

The suffering in this world exists to refine the soul

This world is a "school for the soul," and people are born to grow their souls. Even painful experiences are scheduled in everyone's life as opportunities for growth. The divine does not give you problems that you cannot solve. By learning from your worries and suffering, you can live your life better.

〈Reincarnation〉 People are reborn many times between this world and the next, accumulating experiences for their souls.

※ Those destined for hell can return to heaven if they can reflect on their actions.

Rebuilding your life: The power to "forgive yourself" and "forgive others"

Only by living can you improve your life. Here, we introduce coping methods and recommended books based on personality types that tend to create problems. Let's change our mindset and rebuild our lives.

For those who tend to harbor hatred towards others

・You have feelings of "unforgiveness" towards someone.
・You tend to justify yourself easily.

Let's expand our capacity with the "courage to forgive"

Continuing to attack those who have harmed you will not fundamentally resolve your suffering. Moreover, such destructive thoughts can negatively affect your health. "The other person was also an imperfect person,"For your own sake, please have the courage to forgive somewhere along the way. Reducing hellish thoughts will turn your life around.

＼ Recommended BOOKS ／
"Strong Mind" open_in_new

To you who blame yourself

・Flashbacks of failures in relationships and work.
・Tend to easily deny oneself.

Let's set a 'statute of limitations' on the problems that are causing you pain.

Even if you make mistakes, your worth is not completely denied. By deciding to 'forgive now' instead of suffering from guilt, you can move forward and reflect more easily.The good parts remain as they are, and the Buddha acknowledges your existence.Try setting a statute of limitations for yourself as well.

＼ Recommended BOOKS ／
"I'm Fine" open_in_new

To you with high pride

・Even if you fail, you worry about face and pride, and can't back down.
・In the end, you think about destruction.

Turn failures into 'experience' and rebuild!

Even if you face setbacks in work or love, avoid thinking in an extremely destructive way. Consider your chances of success, and retreat if necessary. AndWhen you have the courage to admit, 'I worked hard but did not succeed,' the power to forgive yourself will emerge.If you turn failures into nourishment, you can become even stronger.

To you who are a perfectionist

・You tend to notice your own mistakes and others' flaws, and blame them.
・You care about evaluations from those around you.

First, accept that humans are 'imperfect.'

Both you and others inevitably have places where they fail, and imperfect parts that get angry or lament. Instead of blaming mistakes too much in pursuit of perfection, learn from failures,Because of our clumsiness, everyone has lessons to learn in this world, which is a school for the soul.Let's focus on the parts where we have progressed.

＼ Recommended BOOKS ／
"The Law of the Future" open_in_new

What can be done for those who have passed away

For those who have committed suicide to return to the other world, it is necessary to realize the existence of the other world and death by oneself. It is not easy to attain enlightenment, but asking for memorial services from Happy Science and delivering the light of deities, while the family learns the truth of the Buddha's teachings to correct their hearts, can be a trigger for the deceased to attain enlightenment.

About memorial services in Happy Science

[Testimony] I wanted to die, but I was able to change brightly.

Ms. Y, who started thinking about suicide at 24. Here is the change that came to her after about eight years of distress.

"Life, maybe just once more" Until I found my dream

(Ms. Y, Osaka Prefecture, Female)

The boss at the workplace where I worked at 24 was someone who played games on his smartphone all the time, yet assigned me a huge amount of work and had an angry personality for no reason. A colleague committed suicide, and I was also at my physical and mental limit... At that time, my relationship with my parents was bad, and I felt exhausted at home and unrecognized at work, leaving me with no place to belong. Deep down, I wanted to live, but I had no reason to live anymore. During tough times, I thought, 'Worst case, I could just commit suicide,' and managed to get through each day.

After a while, I started gospel singing, something I wanted to try before I died. There, I met my current Dharma friend (*). She listened to my worries sincerely and always said on my birthday, 'Thank you for being born.' (There is someone who loves me more than I love myself—). I, who only saw enemies around me, gradually began to trust people. Then, I became interested in the teachings of Happy Science that she was rooted in, and in September last year, I took the Three Return Vow (*).

As I learned the teachings of President Ryuho Okawa open_in_new, I began to face my painful past. Then, I discovered that I had been seeking returns from others for a long time. I realized that I could live because my parents and friends had given me love, and gratitude welled up in me. Also, I learned that "We are companions who each have our own individuality and are striving to bloom in this world", and I realized that the people I had hated at work and my parents also wanted to be happy and were struggling, which helped me develop an understanding heart since I was the same.

Now, I believe that the painful experiences were prepared for me to become someone who understands the pain of others. Therefore, I feel that my mission now is to help those who are suffering, just like the Lord El Cantare who has always been by my side during tough times, and I want to give love to people as well. open_in_new

※ Dharma friend: A friend who gathers in Happy Science to discuss and encourage each other about the teachings of the Lord El Cantare.
※ Three Return Vow: A vow to take refuge in the Three Treasures of Buddha (Buddha = President Ryuho Okawa), Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha), and Sangha (the group of disciples of the Buddha and their rules) and to practice as a disciple of the Buddha.

📣 The book that made me decide to join

I felt the desire of President Ryuho Okawa to save people without deceptive words.

📣 Important Dharma friends who gave me hope

In Happy Science, there are many Dharma friends I can respect, and every time I talk to them, I feel hope that 'I want to change too.' When I took the Three Returns, everyone sincerely congratulated me with 'Congratulations,' which was shocking, and I was moved to realize that 'people who can think of someone from the heart gather here.'

Young people will experience various things in their lives from now on.
There will be many sad and painful things as well.
However, you must never give up.
This world is a place where we are born to learn about life.
Therefore, it is not about 'being able to live a life without any hardships, easily and happily.'
You will experience various sufferings and sorrows, but
I want you to know that 'these occur to polish the soul in this world.'

（経典『ストロング・マインド』より）

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"Young Buddha" vol. 248 Read in manga what happens after suicide.

■ Reasons and true feelings of those in their 20s and 30s who were asked on the street about wanting to commit suicide.
■ Learn from the book "The Law of Mystery" what happens if you commit suicide?
■ Rebuilding life: The power to 'forgive oneself' and 'forgive others'...etc.

> Read the web version of the pamphlet open_in_new

This article is reprinted and edited from the monthly "Young Buddha" vol. 248 (August 2024 issue).