Most people fear death. This world is a temporary place for us to pass by; we all have to die one day. It can be an accident, disease or old age. No one can tell you when and the exact time you are going to die. But if you are being told that you have 4th stage of cancer and you have only 3 to 6 months to live, what is your immediate reaction? There are two choices you can choose to make: “One, You choose to stay away from friends and confine yourself to your self and your family.” Two, “You choose to face the reality of death” bravely and to prepare what you have to do.
MYTH OF DEATH
Nisargadatta Maharaj, one of India’s greatest sages once said, “The fear of death hangs over the world like a cloud.” But what is death? From the moment we were born, we have a physical body and have the ownership to say, “This is my body.” The moment we see death, the physical body will no longer exist but it will rot and will be returned to dust, leaving no life except a skeleton.
CHINESE BELIEFS (Buddhists)
Death to the Chinese is “Bad Omen”. However, especially traditions among the Buddhists believe that individual salvation plays a small role in their religion passing from this world into an ancestral realm of another world between living persons and their ancestors.
On the other hand, when death occurs in the family, the Chinese have a belief that it is a sacrifice for one’s offspring that would engender in them obligations towards elders and ancestors. They believe that such obligations are a gift to succeed in life so as to glorify the family ancestors. Thus, one lived beyond the grave above all through the health and success of one’s children, grand children and great grand children. Because of these obligations, they assume that they would care for one in old age and the afterlife. After life care involves the most significant and complex rituals in Chinese religious life that includes funerals, burials, mourning practices and rites for ancestors. All these are important to express a hope for continuance beyond death but more as an expression of people’s concern that souls for whom no one cared for would become ghost’s intent on causing mischief.
It was assumed that the dead could influence the quality of life for those who were still around. Therefore, proper burial, careful observance of mourning practices and ongoing offerings of food and gifts for ancestors assured their continued aid. Failure to observe these ritual obligations might bring bad luck to the family.
CHRISTIANS VIEWS
It is written in God’s plan when death occurs that God has a purpose whether it is a tragic death or an old age death. Job 1:21 says “Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away”.
MUSLIM VIEWS
Death to the Muslim is a total submission to and acceptance of the One and Only God (Allah) and peace. It is an Islamic characteristic to have complete obedience to Allah and acceptance of His will and commands and a unique feeling of satisfaction, fulfillment and contentment as a result of this obedience and acceptance.
When death occurs, the eye lids are closed, the body covered and preparation for burial takes place immediately after the prayer. The family of the dead has a responsibility to fulfill any debts and has a commitment to maintain contacts and courteous relationships with close relatives and friends.
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