DEATH & DYING

Dagpo Rinpoche gave this teaching on the 23 November 2006 at the Friends Meeting House as part of his UK visit. These are just some notes taken from the teaching and is not a full transcript from the session. We are hoping to have a recording available soon on the website.

Keeping our minds positive and having some control is actually helping to have a positive rebirth. Control over our mind now means control over our mind at death. If we can at least put our minds in a peaceful, faithful and loving state of mind, if this is on our consciousness just before death this will affect our rebirth. How? Our karmic imprints will be reinforced or activated by the state of mind at death, The last thoughts are so important. Even if someone has a very bad life, they can still have a good rebirth. The opposite is also true, a mostly virtuous life with negative thoughts at death will lead to a bad rebirth.

To Help Others: What is most important is to give them a positive state of mind, or failing that a quiet/neutral state of mind.
Don't grab the dying, weeping and wailing etc. This will encourage strong feelings of attachment. Keep thinking of them, not yourself.
Avoid talking of their things, who is going to get what etc.
The place -shouldn't be where they can see their precious things so they don't think about them - do this skillfully.
Put in their eye sight a religious image, Jesus or Buddha is very useful.
If the person is a Buddhist, remind them it is not unusual to die and remind them of the good actions they've done and rejoice.
If the person is of another religion or no religion, remind them of the positive actions they have do, their contributions to society.

For our own death we should work now on these positive minds and become familiar so they are easier at death. We all take the time to have a pension but we may well die before then. But there is no doubt that we will die, but we don't prepare for that. from notes taken by Kerry Prest.
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DYING WELL: NEW DEVELOPMENTS

We are happy to announce some new services, which have been developed from the "Dying Well" weekends.

The first is the development of our Emergency Card. If you carry one of these and something terrible happens to you, Jamyang will be contacted by the finder of the card and prayers will be said for you as soon as possible. Also, your name will be read out at the Friday lunchtime puja and merits of the practice dedicated to you. We are currently only able to offer this service to subscribed friends of Jamyang, and if you wish to have one of these cards, please print off the application form from our website or contact the office for a copy. Will the few people who have already got a card and have not completed a form, please let the office know so we can register you for the scheme.

Our second introduction is the Death Files, (I'm sorry it sounds like a TV programme!) These files will be kept in the Jamyang office and contain all sorts of practical and spiritual advice for those approaching death and what we can do for those who have passed away. This material is for consultation on Jamyang premises only although it may be possible to photocopy something for a small fee. Please see the website for further details.

As already mentioned, we are going to have a Dying Well page on Jamyang's website - so please look out for this. From there, there will be links to various practices which are beneficial around the time of death as well as advice on having prayers and puja's said at monasteries etc.

Sue Aldam [ back to top ]

FPMT RESOURCES FOR THE DYING

The FPMT website has some advice from Lama Zopa about what to do when someone dies and also has a section called the Hope Packet which contains prayers and practices you can download to help the dying.
For less urgent situations, it is advised to get the entire book, Advice and Practices for Death and Dying that includes, in addition to the practices below, advices and commentary by lama Zopa Rinpoche as well as the Jangwa ceremony to purify the consciousness of the one who has passed away.

Esther Garibay [ back to top ]

THE FINAL MEDITATION AND PASSING OF A GREAT LAMA

Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche was the holder of the Kalachakra Lineage, and taught and gave initiations here at Jamyang. He passed away recently and we wish him a safe return as quickly as possible.

"After demonstrating the appearance of serious illness for many months Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche entered tukdam, the final meditation, at 2.30am, Saturday 16th December 2006 in South Delhi, India. The day of the 15th, which was Lama Tsongkapa Day - one of the holiest days in the Geluk calendar- , special offerings and prayers were offered at the house and in the evening extensive light offerings were made.

During this period Rinpoche revealed just how we should practice when death approaches, with the same skill he has perfectly demonstrated how we should practice in all circumstances in this life."

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DIRECTORS COLUMN

I’ve just returned from India where I attended His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings in Sarnath and the retreat with Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche in Bodhgaya. I feel very blessed to have been able to attend both these events and to spend some time in these places in India that hold some special spiritual energy from the Buddha’s presence there and the many prayers and meditation that have been offered there since. Especially sometimes to do retreat, to have that precious time and opportunity to go a little bit inside, is something I found really useful. Although as Rinpoche explained the real retreat is from negative thoughts and delusions, from anger, clinging attachment, ignorance, pride and the jealous mind, and to practise dharma, especially bodhicitta, as much as possible. That’s very hard… as I’m sure those who were also in retreat doing Nyung nays here at Jamyang would agree. Maybe at least it is a start to have some time and space to see how crazy the mind is, and to have some kindness and compassion for that. Wishing you all positive things for 2007, love Di Diana Carroll
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REFUGE AT JAMYANG SALISBURY

On Monday 27th November, Geshe Tashi very kindly came to our meeting in Salisbury to conduct a Refuge ceremony. Twenty six people attended, twelve of whom were to take Refuge for the first time, and as our room isn't very large, this brought a warmth and intimacy to the occasion. As we arranged the flowers and other offerings, there was a feeling of nervous anticipation. Geshela began by leading us in meditation, then explained the meaning and
purpose of taking Refuge in the Three Jewels before conducting the ceremony.

It was a joyful occasion for the whole group, and we thank Geshe Tashi from the bottoms of our hearts for the blessing of his presence that day, and for all
the teachings he has given us during this and all the previous years.

Best wishes to all at Jamyang from all at Salisbury. Barbara
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EX-KITCHEN YOGI BECOMES NUN

I started to work as a volunteer for FPMT at Chenrezig Buddhist Center in January 2005. At that time I was a 24 years old Italian girl who was traveling in Australia looking for something meaningful in her life. I worked in Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in Italy during the summer of the same year and spent the following autumn and winter at Jamyang, taking part to Geshe Tashi Tsering’s classes, studying Tibetan language, reading and cooking in the kitchen with Yolanda. In March this year, while working at Jamyang, I found my connection with Ven. Robina Courtin who accepted my request to work at Liberation Prison Project in San Francisco. In California I met Lama Zopa Rinpoche for the first time and since than I had no doubt that the monastic life was the right choice for me. Rinpoche gave me Rabjung vows in September. Looking back at the past 2 years, I imagine having collected a bit of Wisdom at Jamyang, a little Compassion at Chenrezig, the lineage at Lama Tzong Khapa and at LPP the final bit of merit necessary to be blessed with the meeting of Rinpoche, becoming a nun and planning to study at the Master Program at LTK Institute in Italy. I rejoice everyday.
Ven. Thubten Drolkar (Tiziana Losar) [ back to top ]