What happens after death if you do good on earth in Buddhism?

Answer 1

Unlike Christianity, Buddhism doesn't see getting just one kick at the cat as far as "getting to heaven"Buddhism is based on a series of deaths and rebirth where your innate being eventually learns how to lead an enlightened life. Being good or bad has little to do with it in any lifetime.

Some Buddhist groups see that the quality of your present life is due to your activities in the past life. Good deeds (generally donating to the monks and nuns, which sounds a bit self serving) gets you a better deal next time around, doing bad things (like laughing at cripples) leads to more unfortunate future lives.

As how you live your life is driven by the circumstances of your luck and uncontrolled external factors, it isn't all your fault if yo are not a pleasant person. In one of his discussion the Dalai lama indicated that your rebirth is controlled by your personal life (that you are just finished), your long term status as an unenlightened or non enlightened person and a wild card factor which may see good people return in rather trying circumstances.

Ultimately an enlighten person may enter Nirvana to spend the rest of forever in an egoless state. However in some Buddhist traditions he may refuse the opportunity and be reborn to help others on their path.