- A wise man who was approached by a disciple who was afraid of death. The disciple asked the wise man what would happen to him after he died.
The wise man replied, “Death is a natural part of the cycle of life, just as the changing of the seasons is a natural part of the cycle of the year. When you die, your body will return to the earth and your spirit will return to the Tao, which is the source of all life.”
The disciple was still afraid and asked the wise man how he could prepare himself for death. The wise man replied, “To prepare for death, you must live your life in harmony with the Tao. You must cultivate wisdom and compassion, and practice living in the present moment. When you do this, you will be ready to face death with grace and acceptance.”