Death begins with the sequential dissolution of the "subtle body" which includes the life bearing winds. The five primordial elements are earth, water, fire, air, and space/void. The cycle of dying is a dissolution of the primordial elements and is accompanied by external signs that are visible to others, and internal signs that encompass the inner experience of the dying person. The subtle body consists of 72,000 channels. The three primary channels run vertically from the crown of the head to the tip of the sex organ. They consist of left, right, and center channels and are the main conduits for the energy winds that cause all movement by and within the body.
The signs of impending death concern either the dissolution of the elements or the dysfunction of the five sense organs. The primordial elements are sequentially absorbed into each other as follows:
The Bardo Thodol, commonly known as The Tibetan Book of the Dead", has been passed down orally for centuries. This ancient text was put into written format by Padma Sambhava in the 8th century. Bardo Thodol means "Liberation by Hearing on the After Death Plane". This book acts as a guide for the dead during the state between death and rebirth. Traditionally the text was read aloud to the dying person in order to help them attain liberation from samsara. The text teaches the dying or dead person that consciousness, once freed from the body, creates it's own type of reality similar to a dream state. This dream projection unfolds in predictable ways that are both frightening and beautiful. Since the consciousness is still in shock over the realization that it is no longer attached to or shielded by a body, it needs guidance and forewarning so that key decisions that can lead to enlightenment are made. In the first days after death peaceful deities appear along with brilliant lights of color. Then the wrathful deities appear and can be very overwhelming. The text helps the dead person to recognize the enlightened realms as opposed to being drawn into the realms of seduction that pull incorporeal consciousness back into cyclic suffering.
The Tibetan Buddhist tradition strongly emphasizes the vital importance of a lifetime spent in learning and training to distinguish the clear light of truth from the illusory stages of unenlightened existence. Buddhism presents a unique and practical way to live life in the constant awareness of death as ever-present. Buddhism also offers the skills with which the practitioner can die consciously. With consistent and correct practice a student is able to recognize that each moment of consciousness is a product of the fading out and re-arising of a previous moments consciousness. The present mind is, therefore, a unit born from the death of the last moments mind. It is due to this continual death and rebirth of the mind on a moment-to-moment basis that change and transformation can operate. This experience is invaluable at the time of death. If a student has been able to understand the nature of mind, see how the mind works, and is able to establish mental stability, that will be helpful during the transition to the death bardo. If we meditate during our lifetime we will have an easier time meditating as we die so that we can control the mind and recognize the arising peaceful and wrathful deities in the bardo. Learning, contemplation, and practice are the foundation to understanding how to die with your mind at ease.
Lama-La has put forth the wish that we establish a core group of KTC members who will study Death and Dying in the Kagyu Buddhist Tradition. Our objectives are to establish practical guidelines for all members, family, and friends who are dying or wish to benefit the recently deceased. We will establish a multilevel approach starting with reading the focused texts of our Lineage, create a resource guide and library for those who are dying, including access for friends and family. We will also explore Funeral rituals and ceremonies that support our sangha. We will learn the beneficial sadhanas, pujas, and practices that will help in the transference of consciousness. The above article is merely a brief introduction to this vast and important topic. Please contact KTC at karma "at" ktcminneapolis "dot" org or me personally if you would be interested in establishing and participating in the study, practice, and contemplation of Death, Dying and the Way of Rebirth. The goal of this group is to be of benefit to those who are dying, are recently deceased, or who wish to prepare for the best possible eventual death.
Sheila Duddy graduated as a registered nurse from Bryn Mawr, and has a Masters Degree in Health Education from Penn State. She is currently working with the dying in Hospice Care at North Memorial Hospital. She has been practicing Tibetan Buddhism for more than 25 years. For most of that time Tonglen Meditation has been her main practice. Her current daily practice is Ngondro with Shamata Meditation leading into Mahamudra Meditation . She is presently studying Mahamudra, Lojong, and the Way of Death and Rebirth in Tibetan Buddhism . Sheila teaches Tonglen Meditation at KTC, and is participating in curriculum development for Lojong practice, as well as the curriculum and program development for the Way of Death and Rebirth. Sheila and her life partner, Stacy, live in Lowry Hill with their two children, Anna and Olya.
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