Death and Dying in the Buddhist Tradition
We would invite all Temple Members to an open hearted and direct conversation on Sunday, October 30th 2022 from 1:30 to 3:00, directly following the monthly potluck.
We will discuss funerals, memorial services, estate planning, and the exciting vision for our temple cemetery. Please bring your questions and concerns as you discern for yourself what path is best for you and your loved ones.
The rest of this post shares wisdom about death and dying from the depths of our tradition that has been the foundation and inspiration for Temple Leadership in developing a program for the sangha.
In Buddhism, death is viewed as part of life. During his life, the Buddha taught that meditation on death is not only a noble practice in itself, but that all other contemplations are contained within it. Before he died, the Buddha took care of any outstanding matters. He ordained one last monk, met with groups of his disciples to reinforce the essence of his teachings, and then said goodbye.
O bhikshus! Do not grieve! Even if I were to live in the world for as long as a kalpa, our coming together would have to end. There can be no coming together without parting. The teaching which benefits both self and other has reached completion. Even if I were to live longer, there would be nothing to add to the teaching. Those who were to be awakened, whether in the heavens or among humans, have all been awakened. Those who have not yet been awakened, all possess the conditions for attaining awakening. If all my disciples practice the teaching from now on through generation after generation, the dharma-body of the Tathagata will exist forever and will not be destroyed.
Therefore, you should know that all things in the world are impermanent. Coming together inevitably means parting. Do not be troubled, for this is the nature of life. Diligently practicing right effort, you must seek liberation immediately. Within the light of wisdom, destroy the darkness of ignorance. Nothing is secure. Everything in this life is precarious… Always wholeheartedly seek the way of liberation. All things in the world, whether moving or non-moving, are characterized by disappearance and instability.
Stop now! Do not speak! Time is passing. I am about to cross over. This is my final teaching.
From the Parinirvana Sutra in the Digha Nikaya, a scripture belonging to the Sutta Pitaka of Theravada Buddhism.
For Buddhists, the actual experience of death is very important in itself. The Dalai Lama says that at the time of death, “the most profound and beneficial experiences can come about.” For this reason we continue the practice of cultivating peace in our minds as we engage in preparation for death. We also remember that there is no one way to die and let go of any fixed idea of a “good death.” All deaths are perfect.
Our aim is to put the dying person at ease through skillful spiritual, emotional, and practical care - however that manifests in their situation. We also treat death as a great teaching for each of us, for the sangha, and for the world. Here we can directly encounter the truths of impermanence, compassion, and interdependence.
In our daily liturgy, we recite together the Buddha’s teaching, “I am of the nature to die; there is no way to escape death.” With the new Temple building and grounds we have for the first time the opportunity to meet the reality of our deaths and those of our loved ones with the full weight and force of our shared Zen Mahayana Buddhist Tradition.
We look forward to exploring these topics further together Sunday, October 30th 2022 from 1:30 to 3:00.
