The relationship between death and life
As the manifestation of the impermanence of life, death is not a one-time event but occurs at every moment of life. Since the aggregates are in a state of constant flux, birth (seen as arising) and death (seen as passing away) are always present in juxtaposition to each other. These momentary lives and deaths are one phase of the cycle. From another perspective death is nothing but the arising of the new state in place of the preceding one. This may be explained by means of an analogy with a house-gate. To one who is outside the house the gate is an entrance, whereas to the one inside the house it is an exit. But for both of them it is the same gate. Similarly, the preceding state in the cause and effect process is called birth, whereas its following state is viewed as death, although both of them belong to the same single process.
Hence in its analysis of the nature of existence Buddhism also places emphasis on the reality of death. It is through an understanding of death that we gain an understanding of life. Buddhists thus see the attempt made by people to define the meaning of life as an attempt to define the meaning of death. A man who defines death as merely one event in the unbroken cause - and -effect continuum should be able to rid himself of anxiety and then could live life to the fullest conquering the vicissitudes of life. But this is impossible without the full realization that life and death are two inseparable aspects of one entity.