expression
a day in life is better than a thousand days in the afterlife
Proverb emphasizing that even a single day in the living world is more valuable than a long time in the afterlife. Often used to encourage appreciating life.
「あの世千日この世一日」というから、今を大切に生きよう。
They say 'a day in this world is worth a thousand in the next,' so let's live fully in the present.
A traditional Japanese proverb; the exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects a common Buddhist-influenced view that values the present life over the afterlife.