Article by Sergej Iwanaga (12.12.2024)

Last words hold profound significance in many cultures, often reflecting beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife. We as “ordinary people”, tend to focus on last words uttered by prominent figures, but that is where I find the biggest beauty lies. There might be a dramatic quote by a philosopher, or a national hero, but the way we make sure to honor those closest to us tells us a lot about our societies. Not only that, our diversity creates a diverse array of traditions.  Examining these cultural perspectives can provide a fascinating glimpse into how societies understand the final moments of a person’s life. 

   In the Islamic faith and this in muslim countries, it is considered a sign of honor to recite the Shahada, the islamic declaration of faith on one’s deathbed. This is believed to ensure a place in paradise after death, leading to many ill people reciting this over and over before their passing. The Shahada reads:

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I bear witness that there is no deity but God, 

and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.

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         The English translation to the Shahada

   The recitation of the Shahada emphasizes the importance of faith and submission to God's will, providing spiritual comfort and assurance to the dying person and their family. Most notably this excerpt is seen on the flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with the green color symbolising faith and the sword for the strictness in applying justice. 

 1 Flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

   However, this is not the only time a verse from the Quran holds special meaning during a person’s life. A notable example of another verse being recited, happens to be during the complete opposite of death: after the birth of a baby. The Adhan is the islamic call to prayer, which is broadcast from the minaret (=tower built on or adjacent to a mosque ), shortly before the daily five prayers. It plays a pivotal role after the birth of a baby, being whispered into the right year by his or her father. This act signifies the child’s entry to Islam and is believed to have a blessed and positive impact on the child’s life.

   Moving into the Asian sphere, we notice a different trend in how they approach last words. Confucianism, which has profoundly influenced Chinese culture, places a strong emphasis on respect for elders and ancestors. This respect extends to the last words of the dying, which are considered valuable and worthy of preservation.

   In line with Confucian values, the last words of elders are often recorded and revered as part of the family history. These words can include blessings, advice, and reflections on life, providing guidance and wisdom to descendants. The idea is that the wisdom accumulated over a lifetime is distilled into these final thoughts, offering a lasting legacy to the family.  

   Many Chinese philosophers, historians and emperors have their last words recorded, however we may never know  know about their  authenticity. Nonetheless, two quotes struck me as quite special. The first by Su Shi, also known as Su Dongpo, a prominent poet, essayist, and calligrapher during the Song Dynasty. His last words reportedly expressed a deep connection to nature and art:

2 Confucius, as traditionally illustrated by Wu Daozi in the Tang Dynasty (617-907)

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 The wide sky and the endless earth are my companions, as I leave, 

the inkstone and brush are my farewell.

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          Su Shi’s Last Words (1037-1101)

His final words reflect his lifelong passion for literature and art, highlighting the cultural importance of intellectual pursuits in Chinese society. 

   The second by General Yue Fei, a renowned military general during the Song Dynasty, who was famous for his loyalty and patriotism. His last words were said to be:

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 "Serve the country with loyalty and integrity." 

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General Yue Fei’s Last Words (1103-1142)

These words have become a rallying cry for patriotism and are still remembered as a symbol of dedication to the nation, fitting perfectly with the theme of leaving a quote for your descendants to read and revere you as an honorable individual.

Finally, Japan has a big scene? Japan, being a rather confusing mix of religions, Buddhism is the religion of choice for matters regarding death and remembrance.  Zen Buddhism, the approach to life and death is deeply influenced by the concepts of impermanence and the natural cycle of existence. Death is not seen as an end, but a transition in the cycle of life. This philosophical outlook shapes the practice of composing jisei, or death poems. Jisei are poems composed by individuals, often great leaders of spiritual thinkers and authors, as they face death. These poems are meant to encapsulate the individual's acceptance of death, their spiritual insight, and their reflections on life. The act of writing a jisei no kun, or simply jisei, is both a personal and a deeply spiritual practice, reflecting the individual's state of mind and their understanding of Zen principles.

 Often composed in haiku forms, death poems blend profound philosophy with simple imagery. For example, Zen monk Kozan Ichikyo wrote:

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Empty-handed I entered the world, 

Barefoot I leave it.

My coming, my going - 

Two simple happenings 

That got entangled. 

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Kozan Ichikyo’s Last Words ( 12 century )

This poem reflects the Buddhist concept of non-attachment, portraying life and death as natural and unburdened transitions. A further example which I came across was the samurai Asano Naganori:

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To know the path

Ahead, ask those coming back.

From death’s silent shore.”

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Asano Naganori Last Word’s (1667- 1701)

This reflects the Bushido ethos (= code of conduct placed upon the military nobles of feudal Japan) , facing death with stoicism and humility. The last example, which I found noteworthy, can only be described as tragic. 

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"This brave man, 

so filled with love for his country that he finds it difficult to die, 

is calling out to his friends and about to die".

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Kuroki Hiroshi’s Last Words (1920-1944)

This death poem by Kuroki Hiroshi mirrors the state of Imperial Japan during WW2. While training to become a suicide torpedo bomber, his submarine failed and could not make it back to the surface. Together with another navy private, they wrote down their last words and faced their fate with courage. He was promoted posthumously to Navy Major General Hiroshi Kuroki. 

Overall, it may be said that all societies on this planet have different death traditions surrounding last words. These however, are all similar in the fact that they trie to leave a legacy of some kind along to ease the burden of passing away.

Information Sources:

"The Shahada Declaration of Faith." Learn Religions, https://www.learnreligions.com/the-shahada-declaration-of-faith-2004285.

"Islamic Rites for the Dying." Islamic Studies, https://www.islamicstudies.info/.

"The Meaning Behind Saudi Arabia’s Flag." Saudi Gazette, https://saudigazette.com/.

"The Significance of the Adhan in Islam." About Islam, https://aboutislam.net/.

"Confucian Values and the Family." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://plato.stanford.edu/.

"Su Shi and Chinese Poetic Traditions." Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Su-Shi.

"General Yue Fei." Chinese Historical Studies, https://chinesehistorystudies.com/.

"The Concept of Impermanence in Zen Buddhism." Zen Studies, https://www.zenstudies.com/.

"Death Poems in Zen." Lion's Roar, https://www.lionsroar.com/.

"Bushido and Samurai Culture." History Today, https://www.historytoday.com/.

"Imperial Japan and WWII Soldiers." Japan Times, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/.