"O Death, where is thy sting?" Sir Ronald Ross asked. He was speaking of the cure for malaria but it is a good time to question ourselves as to whether we are prepared to face Death and ask the same of it.
The duty of religion is to convince mankind that peaceful co-existence through mutual respect is the proper attitude to assume in this life. It is also to prepare us to face that greatest of mysteries, Death, with clear conscience and happy resolve. If you still fear Death then you must look either to your own conscience and your life choices or to the depth of the pursuit you follow in your chosen religion, including atheism.
The Buddha was on a journey with his companions. They stopped at a mango plantation and were offered a meal prepared by the owner, Cunda. Amongst the dishes was a pork treat which seemed to worsen a condition that the Buddha was suffering under. He realized his death and exonerated Cunda of any cause the meal might have on his end. He, in fact, praised Cunda for his hospitality and the excellent meal. Later in the journey after another eighteen miles, the Buddha, in great pain, did meet his end. He lay on his right side between two trees with his feet pointing north. During the next two days he answered questions from his followers and then, on his eightieth birthday, as has been said, "the eye of the world closed."
His last words were, "All component things are perishable; work diligently on your own salvation."
Sounds right to me from my experience. On both counts. |
