What would be the situation in this world if there were no death? If beings were not bound to die, then the lives on this Mother Earth would be in jeopardy. If there were no death then all the lives in this entire universe would be very difficult to live as the result of an abrupt rise in the number of lives.
As it is, however, every newly-born being has to go through a series of changes during the continuous phase of life’s thriving until the final occasion of their death. This phenomenon of death plays a very vital role in balancing all life, particularly on this planet. Consequently, in every generation, lives go on renewing and procreating, while this natural process of death can be defined as the end of an individual’s physical pulse. This truth of death serves as a significant reminder for those who are completely fogged in by the conceptual view of eternity. It’s the law of nature. Though beings are classified into different groups according to different characteristic features, none of us can skip this natural process of death and all must pass through this incontrovertible truth. Does it make any sense to say that we can stop it? Or has anyone thought of any solution to overcome it? Those who take life for granted have no space for the thought of realizing this truth.
Generally, humanity and death have a very specific relationship. During our survival in this world, we humans have a very important role to play in terms of the physical and mental prosperity of self and others; this can be accomplished by adopting a purposeful way of life. Inhabiting this world without any concept of death coming at some point is illogical, because all will definitely have to go through this stage.
Death is certain to be experienced. Thus, in life, it does not matter how long we live but all that matters is how meaningfully we have spent our lives. Therefore, in order to achieve positive consequences based on equal concern for self and others, we must enter into wholesome action and try with steady effort to refrain from unwholesome conduct. In this regard, we can clearly understand by reflecting on our daily personal experience: if we are able to do positive, helpful work during the day, we can rejoice about it with great peace of mind in the twilight hours. Otherwise, if our actions are negative, then we feel great distraction in our minds. It is a fact that one cannot live a happy life by harming others, but our own happiness can be nurtured indirectly by being gentle and helpful to others. This is the crucial essence of life.
When we actually accept death as a part of our life, then we will be the ones who fear to interrupt the smooth flow of other forms of life, thereby harming the fair world we live in. By not accepting the concept of an afterlife, there is no one who would not commit non-virtuous actions.
Thus, when the actual impact of death falls upon us, we have to be well-prepared to face it without fear. Eventually, death spares none, discriminates against none, accepts none of our petitions, but reaches every nook and cranny, very fair and unbiased in nature. If there were no beings left, then what would be the need of fair play? The only play we have got is to live on and on until all of us can take a calm, enchanting and satisfied permanent sleep, free of all grumbling and signs of unpreparedness.
By Cheki Dorji
7th Year NNI
