Hakuin Ekaku (1686 – 1769 CE) was a Japanese monk, generally credited as the reviver of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. He laid great emphasis on the need to practice deep compassion and commitment to help all sentient beings everywhere. He also originated the famous koan, “What is the sound of one hand?” Shortly before he died at the age of 83, he wrote the following ‘Death Poem.’

Oh young folk —
if you fear death,
die now!
Having died once
you won’t die again