The time of your death was determined before u were born.

[AlexanderS]

I heard this phrase in association with a buddhist seminar on peaceful dying.

However wouldn't a predetermined time of death more or less negate freedom?

Is it in line with buddhist teachings?

[Indrajala]

Buddhism is not determinism.

It is said that karma from past lives affects the lifespan of an individual (the term is āyuḥsaṃskāra in Sanskrit), but their own actions during life can either extend or shorten it.

Confessing all past evil deeds and cultivating virtue is said to increase one's longevity.

However, nothing is pre-determined.

[maybay]

The time of whose death is determined before they are born? The choice is in choosing who you are. We make this choice continually through life. If we make the same choices then it is more predictable. If we choose differently then less. But you have to ask: Who is doing the determining? To sentient beings there is the appearance of freedom. What does the Buddha say?

[lotwell]

Yes, death is certain however the time of death is uncertain. Life is very precious and our time is very short.

[Konchog1]

I heard this phrase in association with a buddhist seminar on peaceful dying.

However wouldn't a predetermined time of death more or less negate freedom?

Is it in line with buddhist teachings?

Yes and no I think. We born with a certain lifespans yes but it can be so easily affected it doesn't matter what it is.

[Lhug-Pa]

The Alexander Berzin website doesn't seem to be up right now, but if you can access the first two links found on this Google search...:


http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=ps ... 66&bih=673

[Lhug-Pa]

http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/ar ... inism.html

http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/x/nav ... 54907.html

Looks like its back up.