Buzz
The aesthetic study of death, akin to the Forget-me-not flower, depicts a sense of helplessness, contemplation before the tragic harmony of life.
Aesthetic contemplation of death prompts individuals to rethink, to delve deeper into the meanings, the beauty of death, and life.
The Aesthetics of Death
In the heart of New York City, within the walls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, lies a masterpiece in oil painting titled 'The Death of Socrates' (La Mort de Socrate, 1787) by Jacques-Louis David, a French artist of the Neoclassical style.
The painting captures the final moments of Socrates' life. He was condemned by the Athenian court for 'corrupting the youth' and 'disrespecting the gods of Athens' by promoting foreign deities. Forced to drink poison, he faced his end with unwavering calmness.
Yet, Socrates faced his fate without fear. In Jacques-Louis David's portrayal, Socrates appears almost divine, surrounded by grieving disciples witnessing their master's tragedy. With a serene expression and uplifted left hand towards the heavens, he holds the cup of poison without hesitation. Even in death, Socrates exudes an extraordinary tranquility, a testament to his unwavering commitment to truth and his acceptance of the beauty within mortality.
The Beauty Within Death
While we live, we embrace life, revel in the world's emotions, feel the warmth of love, share smiles and tears, find joy in togetherness, and endure the pain of parting. Witnessing the sunrise and the endless blue sea evokes profound emotions within us. Even a gentle spring breeze, a ray of sunshine amidst harsh winter, and the fragrance of afternoon tea sway our souls gently.
That is life. The warmth of poignant moments, the elation of success, and the tender embrace of love make us momentarily forget the fear of death, or perhaps not think of it at all. Yet, one day, we will all perish, and none can escape the clutches of death.
With the decay of the human body, all aspects of life lose significance, regardless of who we are. Thus, whenever the topic of death arises, we cannot help but tremble with fear. However, if one were to philosophize about death, it would surely borrow the hues of Cường Tuse, the poetry of Phan Thị Thanh Nhàn, and the ethereal voice akin to Thuý Hoàn's to extol the mystical, miraculous, and splendid nature of death. One would unveil the darkness beneath the layers of hell for you to witness the radiant pearls adorning the crown of the King of Hell, and among those pearls lies the very soul that has departed. We shall adorn death, we shall converge upon the throne of the King of Hell.
Understanding this matter deeply, you will become enamored with death. We will no longer fear mentioning death; we will comprehend its beauty, grasp the meaning of life and death, and realize that death is not truly as dreadful as perceived.
Imagine if God were to bestow eternal life upon humankind. After a hundred years, five hundred years, what would we see? We would witness this planet blanketed by the figures of elderly people, like old trees unwilling to shed their leaves. The elders with bald heads or sparse hair, perhaps a few strands left, teeth missing replaced by dentures, wrinkled skin, eyes dimmed with trembling hands, moving around in wheelchairs or lying flat on beds, awaiting their son Tạ Trí, who is now over a hundred, to swim in the Red River and return to feed them. Not to mention the hundreds of ailments afflicting the elders, their pain, their moans, everywhere, from parks to tourist beaches, from restaurants, on buses, trains, or in local markets, everywhere you see bent, odorous bodies, hear coughs, and pitiful groans. Surely, at that time, one would only long for death to escape from this earthly hell.
Indeed, death is irrational, but immortality is even more so. A person living forever would have no new temptations in their life; they would endure this endless monotony forever, and if so, we would rather embrace the mystical existence of life and death than live on, devoid of death, and full of the cruelties of life's winter. Not to mention, we would continue to reproduce, and the earth would be overcrowded with people. From there, we realize that immortality is absurd; without death, life loses its meaning.
Just as life holds a higher significance than mere existence, death also holds a transcendent meaning beyond death itself. Most people will be pessimistic when facing death and cannot escape disappointment.
In fact, think about it, humans on this planet are just like grass, self-generating and self-destructing; we are truly insignificant. Everyone is merely a random existence, and we are almost zero before the world. But if we didn't exist, the earth would still rotate, not caring about our absence. Our joys and sorrows are too ordinary to shake the world. Although death is an inevitable truth that no one can escape and must accept, we must also face it optimistically. Face it and admire the beauty of death; all the world's suffering is actually nothing at all.
The Iris is a flower symbolizing the beauty of death.
The American study of death, as beautiful as the Iris flower, reflects helplessness, solemnity in the face of life's tragic harmony. In reality, the biggest difference between people lies in their attitude towards death, which determines their attitude towards life. From this perspective, the American study of death prompts one to reconsider, to understand deeper the meaning of death and life.
Is there anyone who isn't afraid of death? Is there anyone who doesn't want to wake up tomorrow to witness the sunrise? To behold loved ones and continue on life's journey, almost too dear and binding.
The Buddha said that life has four sufferings: birth, old age, illness, death. How to practice to escape suffering and achieve happiness is essential.
Mortal fear death because they do not know what lies beyond, standing before endless darkness and boundless silence, the horror is real. If I were to tell you, this path is exquisite, you drift with the flow, shores blooming with Iris flowers and silent melodies playing, intriguing, bringing you peace, serenity, and warmth, completely captivating you, making you quickly forget the sorrows of the world and eagerly seek out the source of the enchanting melodies. You would surely exclaim: 'Fear not, I am not dead, I have not experienced death yet.'
Presenting you with a poem 'At the End of Life', read and experience the beauty of death that I composed on a night of enlightenment.
At the End of Life: a poem about the beauty of death
We carry our weary bodies Along with the final drop of life essence Approaching a door Here leads to a long, haunting corridor A black corridor, as in our often-encountered dreams Discarding the body outside Our soul steps across the threshold Dissolving into darkness, we embark on a new journey We cannot help but glance back as if lingering Earth still holds many loves and hates... But then our steps become light We walk, we fly, we soar through space At the very end of life Death comes fast or slow The film of life replays for the last time When the machine stops A curtain of darkness falls Void rushes in The tunnel door closes Panic grips us, wanting to turn back Gazing once more at loved ones Glancing at the sea - where life's tears reside... But a mysterious light flickers at the end of the tunnel Urging, welcoming, beckoning Is it hell or heaven awaiting? Eternal secrets hide behind the door Only our soul remains silent Alone to explore the dark night, explore paradise Explore heaven if we are honored O my friends who have read my name throughout the scenes Please do not panic, do not lament I come gently, and I leave gently I wish not to disturb anyone, not to burden anyone Shedding our weary selves, we fly into the void Enjoying death Enjoying freedom Enjoying eternity...
Authored by: Peter Pho.
Posted by: Nguyễn Sơn Nam
Keywords: The Beauty of Death
