ABSTRACT
The term coureurs de bois is a French-Canadian expression that literally translates as "runners in the woods." It has a rich meaning in Canadian history, harkening back to the early days of colonization, when the fur traders who ventured throughout the back woods came together each year, sat in a circle, and shared stories about all the places they had been and the things they had seen during the previous year. The nonmaterial dimension of culture embodies all the common beliefs, values, and norms of a people that are passed on from one generation to the next. The Abrahamic family of religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—have come to believe in a soul that continues to exist spiritually after the body dies. India is the acknowledged birthplace of two of the world's great religions: Hinduism and Buddhism. This chapter explores a sampling of stories, teachings, and reflections on life and death from around the world.
