Death and the Buddha

One day, a man named Raj went to Buddha and asked him some questions.

He asked the Buddha why his mind was so clear and his was not. He asked why Buddha had so much compassion and he did not.

The Buddha replied to Raj and told him that he had only 24 hours to live.

Raj had always been told that Buddha was the wisest person alive and that he spoke only the truth.

Upon hearing the Buddha's words, he immediately began to worry. He realised how short he had to live and went to visit his parents and friends so as to spend time with those he valued.

With only an hour left to live, Raj lay down in a cot with all of his friends and family around him, waiting to die. Then the Buddha came to see him.

The Buddha asked him if he had sworn in the last 24 hours, or if he had cheated or lied or been untrue. Raj replied no to all of these questions and understood the Buddha's wisdom.

The Buddha always kept death close in his mind. He did not do this in a negative manner, in stead he used it to help him always remember how precious life was. What Buddha taught Raj to do for only 24 hours, the Buddha practiced for his whole life. This helped him to answer many deep questions that no one else had ever answered.