What is Buddhism’s view on death?
Death is the beginning of life; life is a preparation for death. Life is a gathering of right conditions, and death is the dissolution of these conditions. If there is no life there will be no death. If there is no death there will be no life. Life and death is a natural process. There is rebirth after death, so there is no need to fear death. Death is like a flowing river; like matches burning out one after one. However, the spark of fire (life) is still there, so death does not mean total extinction. When faced with death, one should feel the joy of going home after a long journey; facing death, one should feel the freedom of a prisoner released from jail; facing death, one should feel as natural as the autumn leaves returning to the earth; facing death, one should be as calm and serene as the bright moon hanging in the sky.
