Death or Dying?

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The Causes of Death The First Dalai Lama taught, "There are three causes of death, namely, exhaustion of life span, exhaustion of positive energy, and exhaustion of karmic life supports. Each of these has its own remedy. When the death indicated [by knowing the signs of death] has its cause in one or two of the above reasons it can be turned away by the appropriate methods. However, when it is caused by a an exhaustion of all three, there is no way to deter the advent of death. All one can do then is to prepare one's mind for death by means of training in the consciousness transference yogas." When we are experiencing a period of insufficient sustaining energy, longevity practices are one way of improving the situation. Some deities associated with long life are Amitayus, Tara and Usnishavijaya. There is also a yoga called

"taking the sky as food." The First Dalai Lama on the remedies for the causes of untimely death: Exhaustion of life span -- take long life initiations, practice healing meditations, etc. Exhaustion of merit -- perform tantric feasts and prayers, seek the blessings of holy people, etc.Exhaustion of [sustaining] karma -- purify the mind of negative karmic stains through consciously examining negativity, generating a distaste for negativity, meditation upon love and compassion, or upon the void nature of negativity, etc. Dying Death, we will remember, is one of the 4 sights that Gautama Shakyamuni is said to have experienced that moved him to pursue an end to suffering for all beings. It can help us to remember that we have each been wandering in

samsara for endless eons, or we can become caught up in the grief of losing our connection with someone which reinforces the belief that this life is all there is. Nevertheless, it is always sad to say goodbye. That sadness can be considered a tribute to the life of the person who has died. Sometimes, it is a reflection of our own regrets. To dwell on grief though, is not helpful. Instead of focusing on that emotion we can work to end the suffering of our friend, and also of all the other beings wandering in the bardo and in samsara.

 

 

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