We Must Prepare For Death - The Wisdom Experience

Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism has so many powerful methods to help people before they die, while they are dying, and even after death. There are two aspects to helping a dying person: (1) helping those who are facing death to find peace and (2) doing the appropriate spiritual practices at the right time. First of all, the most important thing is to help the person prepare psychologically so that they die with a positive and happy mind. To die without anger or clinging is vital for a happy death and a good rebirth, and so that should be foremost in our thoughts when we are around a dying person. The help we give can result in a better rebirth and a swift path to attaining all realizations and eventually enlightenment. This gift is absolutely priceless, more valuable than universes full of wish-granting jewels. Secondly, there are many spiritual practices that can be done before, during, and after death that can help your loved one die well and receive a perfect human rebirth or rebirth in the pure realm of a buddha. I will explain what to do at each stage.

As for babies, small children, or people who have lost their capacity to understand because of coma or dementia—animals too—there is not much that they themselves can do. The least we can do is help them be peaceful and thus die with a happy mind. But this is not all. Whether a person or animal is benefited by many of the practices in this book doesn’t depend upon the person’s or animal’s understanding; just hearing the sounds of mantras, prayers, and teachings or seeing holy images will leave positive imprints on their mind, which can activate virtuous karmic seeds at the time of death, allowing them to receive a good rebirth. This is our precious gift to them. But before you can help someone else at the time of death, you need to learn how to prepare for your own death. If you look at your mind and how much attachment you have, I think you will see that there is a lot of work to be done before you face death, and this is true of almost everybody. Have you freed yourself from attachment to your possessions? To your loved ones and friends? To your career and reputation? Could you separate from your body happily tomorrow? The more familiar you are with the various practices, the ways to think, how to make your mind happy, the more easily you can help others at the time of death. But if you haven’t prepared for your own death and you’re limited in your knowledge of what to do at the time of death, you’ll be limited in your ability to help others.

"To die without anger or clinging is vital for a happy death and a good rebirth."