Difference between revisions of "A Buddhist's Death"
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[[Death]] is an opportunity for great [[spiritual]] [[achievement]] if one is prepared and remembers one's [[spiritual]] practices and [[beliefs]] / understandings during the [[death]] process. | [[Death]] is an opportunity for great [[spiritual]] [[achievement]] if one is prepared and remembers one's [[spiritual]] practices and [[beliefs]] / understandings during the [[death]] process. | ||
[[File:Dying.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Dying.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | [[Death]] is the separation of [[body]] ([[physical]] [[form]]) and "[[mind]]" [[formless]], clear, luminous and [[knowing]]. (Only the most {{Wiki|subtle}} level of [[mind]] transmigrates.) | + | [[Death]] is the separation of [[body]] ([[physical]] [[form]]) and "[[mind]]" [[formless]], clear, {{Wiki|luminous}} and [[knowing]]. (Only the most {{Wiki|subtle}} level of [[mind]] transmigrates.) |
[[File:Mahaparinibbhana72.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Mahaparinibbhana72.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
Since the [[state of mind]] at the [[time]] of [[death]] is vitally important, it's most important to [[die]] with a [[calm]] and [[peaceful]] [[mind]]; with strong [[spiritual]]/ positive [[thoughts]] prevailing. | Since the [[state of mind]] at the [[time]] of [[death]] is vitally important, it's most important to [[die]] with a [[calm]] and [[peaceful]] [[mind]]; with strong [[spiritual]]/ positive [[thoughts]] prevailing. | ||
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| width="290" | <p>Digestion ceases;<br> | | width="290" | <p>Digestion ceases;<br> | ||
Forget life's affairs;<br> | Forget life's affairs;<br> | ||
| − | Inhalation weak, exhalation strong;<br> | + | Inhalation weak, {{Wiki|exhalation}} strong;<br> |
{{Wiki|Smell}} ceases. Can't remember names. </p> | {{Wiki|Smell}} ceases. Can't remember names. </p> | ||
| width="167" | <p>Sparks </p> | | width="167" | <p>Sparks </p> | ||
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{{Wiki|Tongue}} & [[body]] [[senses]]; </p> | {{Wiki|Tongue}} & [[body]] [[senses]]; </p> | ||
| width="290" | <p>{{Wiki|Breathing}} ceases;<br> | | width="290" | <p>{{Wiki|Breathing}} ceases;<br> | ||
| − | Winds move to [[heart]];<br> | + | [[Winds]] move to [[heart]];<br> |
[[Body]] can't move; {{Wiki|Taste}} & {{Wiki|touch}} cease;<br> | [[Body]] can't move; {{Wiki|Taste}} & {{Wiki|touch}} cease;<br> | ||
Lose [[awareness]] of {{Wiki|external}} [[activities]], etc. </p> | Lose [[awareness]] of {{Wiki|external}} [[activities]], etc. </p> | ||
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| width="200" | <p>[[Consciousness]] [[aggregate]];<br> | | width="200" | <p>[[Consciousness]] [[aggregate]];<br> | ||
Eighty conceptions. </p> | Eighty conceptions. </p> | ||
| − | | width="290" | <p>Winds above [[heart]] enter into [[central channel]]. </p> | + | | width="290" | <p>[[Winds]] above [[heart]] enter into [[central channel]]. </p> |
| − | | width="167" | <p>White appearance </p> | + | | width="167" | <p>White [[appearance]] </p> |
|- | |- | ||
| width="97" | <p align="center">6</p> | | width="97" | <p align="center">6</p> | ||
| − | | width="200" | <p>[[Mind]] of white appearance</p> | + | | width="200" | <p>[[Mind]] of white [[appearance]]</p> |
| − | | width="290" | <p>Winds below [[heart]] enter [[central channel]] </p> | + | | width="290" | <p>[[Winds]] below [[heart]] enter [[central channel]] </p> |
| − | | width="167" | <p>Red {{Wiki|increase}} appearance </p> | + | | width="167" | <p>Red {{Wiki|increase}} [[appearance]] </p> |
|- | |- | ||
| width="97" | <p align="center">7</p> | | width="97" | <p align="center">7</p> | ||
| width="200" | <p>[[Mind]] of red {{Wiki|increase}}. </p> | | width="200" | <p>[[Mind]] of red {{Wiki|increase}}. </p> | ||
| − | | width="290" | <p>Winds [[gather]] at [[heart]]. </p> | + | | width="290" | <p>[[Winds]] [[gather]] at [[heart]]. </p> |
| width="167" | <p>Darkness, then {{Wiki|unconsciousness}} </p> | | width="167" | <p>Darkness, then {{Wiki|unconsciousness}} </p> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| width="97" | <p align="center">8</p> | | width="97" | <p align="center">8</p> | ||
| width="200" | <p>[[Mind]] of black near-attainment. </p> | | width="200" | <p>[[Mind]] of black near-attainment. </p> | ||
| − | | width="290" | <p>Winds dissolve into very {{Wiki|subtle}} [[wind]] at [[heart]]. </p> | + | | width="290" | <p>[[Winds]] dissolve into very {{Wiki|subtle}} [[wind]] at [[heart]]. </p> |
| width="167" | <p>[[Clear light]] </p> | | width="167" | <p>[[Clear light]] </p> | ||
|} | |} | ||
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Other [[Signs]]: a small amount of {{Wiki|blood}} leaves the {{Wiki|nose}} ({{Wiki|female}}) or a small amount of white fluid leaves the penis. These may not occur in [[bodies]] wasted by {{Wiki|disease}}. At this point the [[body]] begins to rot and {{Wiki|smell}}. | Other [[Signs]]: a small amount of {{Wiki|blood}} leaves the {{Wiki|nose}} ({{Wiki|female}}) or a small amount of white fluid leaves the penis. These may not occur in [[bodies]] wasted by {{Wiki|disease}}. At this point the [[body]] begins to rot and {{Wiki|smell}}. | ||
| − | It's best if the [[body]] is not touched until a [[Buddhist Monk]], [[Nun]] or Lay Practitioner can do the recommended [[prayers]]. If the [[body]] must be moved, then {{Wiki|touch}} the top of the head and /or pull the [[hair]] on the {{Wiki|crown}} first before {{Wiki|touching}} any other part of the [[body]]. If there is a [[Buddhist]] [[Stupa]], text ([[scripture]]) or statue, it's best to use these to {{Wiki|touch}} the {{Wiki|crown}} of the head. And make [[prayers]] or good wishes for their [[peace]] and passing. | + | It's best if the [[body]] is not touched until a [[Buddhist Monk]], [[Nun]] or Lay [[Practitioner]] can do the recommended [[prayers]]. If the [[body]] must be moved, then {{Wiki|touch}} the top of the head and /or pull the [[hair]] on the {{Wiki|crown}} first before {{Wiki|touching}} any other part of the [[body]]. If there is a [[Buddhist]] [[Stupa]], text ([[scripture]]) or statue, it's best to use these to {{Wiki|touch}} the {{Wiki|crown}} of the head. And make [[prayers]] or good wishes for their [[peace]] and passing. |
Different [[Buddhist]] cultures ({{Wiki|Western}}, [[Tibetan]], [[Japanese]], [[Korean]], [[Wikipedia:Taiwanese people|Taiwanese]], [[Sri Lankan]] etc. have different lengths of [[time]] that they don't move the [[body]] and keep vigil and do [[prayers]]). If the [[Buddhist]] has no temple/community or the family doesn't know what's available [[contact]] [[Amitabha]] Hospice Service (09) 828-3321. [[Rituals]] will depend on the {{Wiki|culture}}. | Different [[Buddhist]] cultures ({{Wiki|Western}}, [[Tibetan]], [[Japanese]], [[Korean]], [[Wikipedia:Taiwanese people|Taiwanese]], [[Sri Lankan]] etc. have different lengths of [[time]] that they don't move the [[body]] and keep vigil and do [[prayers]]). If the [[Buddhist]] has no temple/community or the family doesn't know what's available [[contact]] [[Amitabha]] Hospice Service (09) 828-3321. [[Rituals]] will depend on the {{Wiki|culture}}. | ||
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[[Buddhists]] believe that a [[happy]], positive, [[peaceful]] [[mind]] creates a [[life]] of [[good deeds]] and [[morality]], which produces a [[happy]], [[fortunate]] [[rebirth]]. Bereaved [[Buddhists]] want the deceased to achieve this and will continue to do [[prayers]] and [[rituals]] for 49 days (the end of the [[Intermediate State]] when [[Rebirth]] takes place). | [[Buddhists]] believe that a [[happy]], positive, [[peaceful]] [[mind]] creates a [[life]] of [[good deeds]] and [[morality]], which produces a [[happy]], [[fortunate]] [[rebirth]]. Bereaved [[Buddhists]] want the deceased to achieve this and will continue to do [[prayers]] and [[rituals]] for 49 days (the end of the [[Intermediate State]] when [[Rebirth]] takes place). | ||
| − | ===HELPFUL SUPPORT FOR A HAPPY SUCCESSFUL DEATH:=== | + | ===HELPFUL SUPPORT FOR A HAPPY SUCCESSFUL [[DEATH]]:=== |
LISTEN and ACKNOWLEDGE WITHOUT JUDGEMENT WHAT IS SHARED | LISTEN and ACKNOWLEDGE WITHOUT JUDGEMENT WHAT IS SHARED | ||
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CORROBORATE FAITH, DEVOTION and CONFIDENCE (remind them of their [[spiritual]] [[teachers]], particular [[meditation]] practices, personal [[deities]], etc. Put [[Buddhist]] pictures, [[statues]] etc in their [[view]]; their [[meditation]] beads in their hands.) | CORROBORATE FAITH, DEVOTION and CONFIDENCE (remind them of their [[spiritual]] [[teachers]], particular [[meditation]] practices, personal [[deities]], etc. Put [[Buddhist]] pictures, [[statues]] etc in their [[view]]; their [[meditation]] beads in their hands.) | ||
| − | ENCOURAGE UNIVERSAL LOVE and the ALTRUISTIC ASPIRATION to serve others and continue one's [[spiritual]] practice through [[death]], the [[intermediate state]] and all future [[lives]]. | + | ENCOURAGE UNIVERSAL LOVE and the ALTRUISTIC ASPIRATION to serve others and continue one's [[spiritual]] practice through [[death]], the [[intermediate state]] and all {{Wiki|future}} [[lives]]. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Revision as of 11:14, 10 March 2014
A Buddhist's life is practice for death - cultivating positive, happy virtuous states of mind and abandoning non-virtuous, harmful, suffering states of mind.
Death is definite but the time of death is indefinite so a Buddhist aspires to be ready by being mindful of the preciousness of life and the uncertainness of its length.
Death is an opportunity for great spiritual achievement if one is prepared and remembers one's spiritual practices and beliefs / understandings during the death process.
Death is the separation of body (physical form) and "mind" formless, clear, luminous and knowing. (Only the most subtle level of mind transmigrates.)
Since the state of mind at the time of death is vitally important, it's most important to die with a calm and peaceful mind; with strong spiritual/ positive thoughts prevailing.
Death is not the stoppage of breathing or heartbeat. Death is a process with stages:
After conception, formation proceeds from subtler to grosser, but at death there is a dissolution from grosser to subtler. The four elements earth (hard substances of the body), water (fluids), fire (heat), wind/air (energy, movement) degenerate and dissolve in sequence and there are external signs and internal visions at each stage.
Stage |
Factors Dissolving |
External Sign |
Internal Sign |
1 |
Eye sense; | Body becomes thin, shrinks, weaker. Doesn't tolerate weight of bed clothes. Eyesight becomes unclear; |
|
2 |
Ear sense; | Body fluids dry up; Body becomes numb; |
Smoke |
3 |
Nose sense; | Digestion ceases; Forget life's affairs; |
Sparks |
4 |
Compositional factors aggregate; |
Breathing ceases; Winds move to heart; |
Dying flame |
5 |
Consciousness aggregate; |
Winds above heart enter into central channel. |
White appearance |
6 |
Mind of white appearance |
Winds below heart enter central channel |
Red increase appearance |
7 |
Darkness, then unconsciousness | ||
8 |
Mind of black near-attainment. |
When the Clear Light state finishes, Death is completed and then the "very subtle mind" enters the Intermediate State.
Up to this time the body of the deceased should not be moved and preferably not even touched.
The Clear Light State can last for few minutes (where there is much disease or in accidents) or 3 days (recommended waiting time) or longer in accomplished meditators.
When all the heat has left the body the Clear Light is finished. The heart area retains the heat longest.
Other Signs: a small amount of blood leaves the nose (female) or a small amount of white fluid leaves the penis. These may not occur in bodies wasted by disease. At this point the body begins to rot and smell.
It's best if the body is not touched until a Buddhist Monk, Nun or Lay Practitioner can do the recommended prayers. If the body must be moved, then touch the top of the head and /or pull the hair on the crown first before touching any other part of the body. If there is a Buddhist Stupa, text (scripture) or statue, it's best to use these to touch the crown of the head. And make prayers or good wishes for their peace and passing.
Different Buddhist cultures (Western, Tibetan, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Sri Lankan etc. have different lengths of time that they don't move the body and keep vigil and do prayers). If the Buddhist has no temple/community or the family doesn't know what's available contact Amitabha Hospice Service (09) 828-3321. Rituals will depend on the culture.
Well trained Buddhists will not cry or show strong emotion near the body during the death process. Provide a quiet space away from the body if possible and support as you would anyone with loss.
Buddhists believe that a happy, positive, peaceful mind creates a life of good deeds and morality, which produces a happy, fortunate rebirth. Bereaved Buddhists want the deceased to achieve this and will continue to do prayers and rituals for 49 days (the end of the Intermediate State when Rebirth takes place).
HELPFUL SUPPORT FOR A HAPPY SUCCESSFUL DEATH:
LISTEN and ACKNOWLEDGE WITHOUT JUDGEMENT WHAT IS SHARED
FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE and ENCOURAGE REJOICING, which lifts the mind and increases one's spiritual strength (Acknowledge "regrets" as lessons learned but discourage guilt which is destructive.)
SUPPORT 'LETTING GO' or SEPARATION and GIVING UP EVERYTHING (even "unfinished business" This assistance and the next two are used whether the person is conscious or unconscious.)
CORROBORATE FAITH, DEVOTION and CONFIDENCE (remind them of their spiritual teachers, particular meditation practices, personal deities, etc. Put Buddhist pictures, statues etc in their view; their meditation beads in their hands.)
ENCOURAGE UNIVERSAL LOVE and the ALTRUISTIC ASPIRATION to serve others and continue one's spiritual practice through death, the intermediate state and all future lives.
