In Memory of My Mother

Old age, illness, and death have always been difficult for the human being to accept. Whether it is a commoner or a nobleman, we all have to go through this process. People are looking for the fountain of youth from the past to the present. In the long ancient history of China, only Zhuangzi is regarded as truly detached from life and death.

Zhuangzi was born in Song Dynasty (between the years of 960-1279). He learned Confucianism and Taoism through different masters at a young age. Later, he experienced the ups and downs of life and his thoughts towards death became deeper. For example, Zhuangzi’s wife died when he was old. A good friend Keiko came to express condolences, he saw Zhuangzi sitting next to the coffin and singing loudly. Keiko knew that Zhuangzi had always been a maverick, but did not expect that he would be so ridiculous. So he asked:” Your wife of many years just passed away, why do you still sing!? It’s too much.“ Zhuangzi replied: "My wife was born by the fusion of yin Qi and yang Qi between heaven and earth. Qi changed into the body, and the body experienced birth, aging, sickness, and death. This is similar to the changes in the four seasons and is a reflection of natural laws. Now, my wife has moved from the hut where the body lives to the "big house" of heaven and earth. If we cry at this time, it will be contrary to the principle of life.”

Later, Zhuangzi could not escape the laws of nature and died. When he was dying, his disciples gathered and expressed that he would be buried with high standards. However, Zhuangzi refused: "I take the heaven and the earth as the coffin, the sun and the moon as the connecting wall, the stars are the beautiful jade and gems for the funeral”, which shows the high realm of Zhuangzi.

Despite Zhuangzi’s refusal to bury, the disciples were worried that the crows would eat his body. Zhuangzi said:” Exposure above the ground will be eaten by the birds, and buried under the ground will be eaten by the ants. Taking the food from the birds and giving it to the ants, after all, there is not much difference.” When a loved one dies, others cry in sorrow. Zhuangzi views death as a normal phenomenon in the movement of heaven and earth, he celebrates death; when he is facing death, he views that the body is taken from nature and is returned to nature. This calmness toward life and death is very inspirational for all humankind.