The Meaning of Death  

Death is the moment when all the organs of the body cease to function, most importantly the respiratory system, the circulatory system, and the brain. The human heart stops beating, breathing comes to an end, and the brain no longer operates.

With the progress of science, however, a person may continue to live by means of artificial respiration and cardiac stimulants. Although consciousness is entirely lost, if assisted breathing is maintained, the physical body may persist for many days, passing from one day to the next.

For this reason, in our time, electroencephalograms and measurements of cerebral blood flow are used to determine death. When the brain’s electrical activity shows no further function, one may confirm that the brain has died and life-support may be withdrawn.

As for the destiny of the human being after death, science has not yet been able to prove it, even though there exist many medical reports recounting what patients have perceived in moments of dying and returning to life.

On this occasion, I respectfully ask permission to share a personal experience from within our own family. Our paternal grandfather practiced the Minh Sư path and had attained the rank of Lão Sư.

He foresaw the day of his passing and instructed his descendants to prepare their hearts and minds, as well as the necessary rites, for his departure from this world. On the appointed day, upon awakening in the morning, he bathed himself thoroughly, dressed in proper attire, and after taking breakfast, lay down and departed gently.

His children and grandchildren, overwhelmed with grief, wept bitterly throughout the day and did not proceed with the rites of encoffining and burial. That evening, quite suddenly, our grandfather revived, called his descendants to him, and told them that his mission in the earthly realm had been fulfilled.

They must rejoice, he said, and must not lament. He further explained that he now had a new duty in the invisible realm, and urged all his descendants to devote themselves to spiritual cultivation. After these words, he departed once more.

Because of our grandfather’s counsel, our uncles dared not continue their lamentation and instead hastened to carry out the rites of encoffining and burial.

According to Caodaism, after death, the "vía" (the subtle soul) departs from the physical body, yet it still retains emotional attachments to the family. Thus it lingers, hovering within the home, hearing all events and perceiving all that unfolds. However, lacking a physical body, it is unable to make contact with loved ones.

One of the rites that helps the vía depart with ease is the ritual of Đoạn Căn (phép Đoạn Căn - the severing of attachments). The officiating dignitary circles the coffin with scissors, cutting seven karmic cords — the bonds of emotional attachment to the body and to worldly life.

Although the "vía" of the deceased may still linger nearby, the living never truly sense its presence beside them. Yet the actions, conduct, and words of the living have a profound influence upon the liberation of the departed.

For example, if the family grieves excessively, weeping with intense sorrow, the "vía" will be unable to bear leaving and will wander aimlessly about the home. Conversely, if children display unfilial behavior — disdain, disrespect, or irreverence toward the deceased — the "vía", angered by such ingratitude, may wish to remain behind to punish the ungrateful child, even though it possesses no real power over the living. In such cases, the "vía" is unable to ascend to another realm.

On the other hand, if the family of the deceased understands the principles of life and death, does not display excessive or tragic sorrow, and sincerely prays for the departed spirit to depart peacefully and freely, then the "vía" will comprehend this intention and will be able to transcend with ease.