A Virtuous Mind Is Key When Dying
The thoughts on our minds when we are dying are extremely important. We mustn’t give rise to thoughts like anger, pride, and jealousy. Instead, we need to arouse loving-kindness, compassion, and bodhicitta. This is very beneficial for the bardo and the next life.
When we are sick, we might sometimes feel like it would be better to die instead of being painfully tortured by the illness. When we are older or sick, we will encounter much pain and inconvenience. This is when we should reflect on our precious human birth which is so difficult to obtain. Doing so allows us to live more meaningfully even if we have only a few months or years left to live.
Cherishing our Bodies in Order to Practice
Only as a human are we able to study the dharma, allowing us to understand our mind and what the afflictions are, and subsequently to tame our afflictions. We should not use this precious human birth recklessly to end our lives.
Many people think that giving up and ending our own lives is very straightforward. But this is when we should consider whether we are able to be reborn in a happier place after death, which is something that is really hard to tell. Thus, we should really cherish our human bodies.
From the Buddhist perspective, our karma follows us after death and it will not be in our favor. Instead, we should properly utilize this precious human birth to really practice the dharma. It will be helpful towards alleviating the suffering of sickness, and will be beneficial to this life and all the lives that follow.
A Virtuous Motivation Benefits the Next Life
Some people feel depressed, disappointed, or angry when their family members or children do not take care of them or are not by their side when they are dying. As a result, they give rise to non-virtuous thoughts when they die, which is not a good thing.
No matter whether they have company or not, the dying person should give rise to thoughts of contentment and gratitude, thinking “I have been well-looked after by my children and family in this life already.” This manner of thinking is very important.
The thoughts on our mind when we are dying are extremely important. We should not give rise to thoughts like anger, pride, and jealousy. Instead, we need to give rise to loving-kindness, compassion, and bodhicitta. This is very beneficial for the bardo and the next life. Regardless of whether we are Buddhists or not, we need to keep our minds pure and filled with virtuous thoughts when we are dying.
Four Causes for Rebirth in Sukhavati
In Karma Chagme Rinpoche’s writings, he explains the four causes of rebirth in Sukhavati according to the Amitabha Sutra. We are able to successfully take rebirth in this pure realm when we acquire the four causes.
The first of the four causes is to visualize the pure realm. We should always visualize the realm of Sukhavati, according to the depiction from either a thangka or a picture. In this way, when we are dying, we will be able to bring the pure realm to mind and take rebirth there.
The second cause is to accumulate merit. Some people like to support dharma centers or monasteries, but if we do not have connections with one, we can also choose to help the poor and schools by providing financial or educational assistance.
The third cause is to generate bodhicitta, which is the wish for all sentient beings to be free from suffering and attain ultimate Buddhahood.
The fourth cause is to make aspirations. We pray for all sentient beings, including ourselves, to be able to take rebirth in Sukhavati and not to fall into the lower realms.
Preparation Instead of Denial
Many older people regard the topic of death as taboo. This kind of thinking is actually mistaken and serves no purpose. There is an analogy: a monkey who is playing around suddenly sees an eagle swooping down to catch him. He becomes afraid and covers his eyes with his hands. This is not a helpful move, because the eagle will still be able to catch the monkey.
We avoid and shun the topic of death in the same way. It is pointless, just like the monkey covering his eyes. It would be much better for us to start preparing for death as soon as possible.
If we are Buddhists, we should make use of our time to listen to more teachings and practice the dharma. We need to cherish every opportunity, even if it is reciting a single Mani mantra, reflecting on an oral instruction, or generating a little loving-kindness and compassion.
In general, we must remember that every person without exception will encounter sickness and death. Only by choosing the right approach to face these types of suffering can we bring about benefits.
Source: Based on Rinpoche, Thrangu. A Life of Happiness: A Practice Guide for Older Practitioners. Translated by Jamyang Woser. https://dharmaebooks.org/
Rebirth in Sukhavati: Four Causes
In Karma Chagme Rinpoche’s writings, he explains the four causes of rebirth in Sukhavati according to the Amitabha Sutra. We are able to successfully take rebirth in this pure realm when we acquire the four causes.
First cause: To visualize the pure realm. We should always visualize the realm of Sukhavati, according to the depiction from either a thangka or a picture. In this way, when we are dying, we will be able to bring the pure realm to mind and take rebirth there.
Second cause: To accumulate merit. Some people like to support dharma centers or monasteries, but if we do not have connections with one, we can also choose to help the poor and schools by providing financial or educational assistance.
Third cause: To generate bodhicitta, which is the wish for all sentient beings to be free from suffering and attain ultimate Buddhahood.
Fourth cause: To make aspirations. We pray for all sentient beings, including ourselves, to be able to take rebirth in Sukhavati and not to fall into the lower realms.
(Based on Rinpoche, Thrangu. A Life of Happiness: A Practice Guide for Older Practitioners.)