CONFRONTING DEATH
From a Buddhist perspective, death is a natural transition from one life to another which we’ve been doing since “beginningless time” and will continue to do so until we find a way out of this cycle of suffering existence. This life provides us with a precious opportunity to begin to realize our true goodness and eventually break free of all suffering, once and for all. We believe however, that the objects of our senses, family, friends and our own body, are the basis of true happiness. Unrealistic attachment to these only compounds our suffering. So, we must examine the critical importance of developing a calm and compassionate mind, which will benefit us at the time of our death: The method for this is the practice of Dharma, what the Buddha taught. Geshe Jampa Gyaltsen says “Dharma is nothing else but the preparation for death”! When we understand that the only thing that will be of any help to us at the time of death are the virtuous habits of love, compassion, wisdom and the like, we will be empowered to be mindful and to live as meaningful a life as possible, right now! Confronting death in this way thus becomes truly liberating!
