How are you preparing for death?

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PadmaVonSamba
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by PadmaVonSamba »

Malcolm wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:36 pm
PadmaVonSamba wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 1:30 pm
Malcolm wrote: Mon Aug 29, 2022 7:43 pm

Rebirth occurs because of the habit of I-making. When that habit is eradicated, then one has control over birth. It may not be "provable" to those commoners with ordinary, contaminated, undeveloped sense organs, but it is verifiable by those who make the effort to cultivate samadhi and the deva eye, etc. That community has found rebirth empirically validated amongst themselves.

The point is, you can’t prove that it is verifiable.
You cannot prove it to ordinary people who lack the higher cognitions.
You can’t prove that anyone has some kind of “uncontaminated” sense perception.
You cannot prove it to ordinary people who lack the higher cognitions.
That too is a matter of faith.
Only to ordinary people who lack the higher cognitions. But even ordinary people who possess the higher cognitions can verify these things.

For example, if someone does not have a powerful microscope, they cannot verify claims of this or that microbe. Someone who has such an instrument is able to. If one wants to develop the higher cognitions, the method to do so is described by the Buddha in many places.
Can you please cite where the Buddha describes how one may prove that rebirth is a fact? That would be really useful.
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PadmaVonSamba
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by PadmaVonSamba »

Malcolm wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:03 pm
PadmaVonSamba wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:01 pm
It is a basic tenet of Buddhist theory.
It is what Buddhism proposes to be true. Therefore it is Buddhist theory.
What do you think ‘theory’ means?
as above, an axiom is held to be a self-evident truth, not a theory. BTW, you seem to putting a lot of energy into sowing doubt about rebirth.
If people thought that rebirth was self-evident, this discussion would not be taking place.
And actually, I do think it is self-evident, if one abandons the idea that there is a “self” that is reborn.
If I am sowing doubts about anything, it is only the unnecessarily dubious reasoning used by so many to defend the concept of rebirth.
EMPTIFUL.
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Giovanni
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Giovanni »

PadmaVonSamba wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:01 pm
Giovanni wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 5:39 pm
PadmaVonSamba wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 1:34 pm

“Theory” means a proposed explanation. Theories can be accepted as true. They can also be accepted as untrue.
For example, Buddhist theory regards the concept of an actual ‘self’ that exists continuously from moment to moment or from lifetime to lifetime, which we could call “Hindu theory” as untrue.

Whether this theory is or is not an axiom of anything is beside the point.
It’s absolutely to the point. The axiom is both the initial impetus for the arising of Sraddha and serves as a holding operation until prajna arises.
It is a basic tenet of Buddhist theory.
It is what Buddhism proposes to be true. Therefore it is Buddhist theory.
What do you think ‘theory’ means?
My apologies .I did not notice that I had been wrongly autocorrect edited about tenet.
I suspect that we have a very different view of Buddhadharma. I will respect that and leave it there.
Malcolm
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Malcolm »

PadmaVonSamba wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:13 pm
Malcolm wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:03 pm
PadmaVonSamba wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:01 pm
It is a basic tenet of Buddhist theory.
It is what Buddhism proposes to be true. Therefore it is Buddhist theory.
What do you think ‘theory’ means?
as above, an axiom is held to be a self-evident truth, not a theory. BTW, you seem to putting a lot of energy into sowing doubt about rebirth.
If people thought that rebirth was self-evident, this discussion would not be taking place.
And actually, I do think it is self-evident, if one abandons the idea that there is a “self” that is reborn.
If I am sowing doubts about anything, it is only the unnecessarily dubious reasoning used by so many to defend the concept of rebirth.
Who said there was a self that was reborn? On the other hand, the Buddha himself said hundreds of places, "when I was so and so, in such and such a clan, during the reign of such and such a king, when there was Buddha so and so..."

1) The Buddha taught rebirth. 2) Those with the proper faculties can verify the Buddha's doctrine on rebirth directly, without recourse to inference. 3) And the inferential reasoning that establishes rebirth is sound. These are the three valid cognitions we accept in Buddhadharma: testimony of a reliable witness, direct perception of undamaged senses, and inference. These three valid cognitions are also accepted by the world.
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Johnny Dangerous
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Johnny Dangerous »

PadmaVonSamba wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:04 pm
Malcolm wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:36 pm
PadmaVonSamba wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 1:30 pm
The point is, you can’t prove that it is verifiable.
You cannot prove it to ordinary people who lack the higher cognitions.
You can’t prove that anyone has some kind of “uncontaminated” sense perception.
You cannot prove it to ordinary people who lack the higher cognitions.
That too is a matter of faith.
Only to ordinary people who lack the higher cognitions. But even ordinary people who possess the higher cognitions can verify these things.

For example, if someone does not have a powerful microscope, they cannot verify claims of this or that microbe. Someone who has such an instrument is able to. If one wants to develop the higher cognitions, the method to do so is described by the Buddha in many places.
Can you please cite where the Buddha describes how one may prove that rebirth is a fact? That would be really useful.
There are various meditations in finding the mind, examining boundaries of mind, body etc. Some of these naturally seem to lead to conclusions about continuity of consciousness, based on inference made on direct experience. Far from exhaustive as to what’s out there but that’s a very basic idea.

I think some people in this conversation do not understand the difference between this method, and their default cultural view on “proof” which is that -the only- convincing evidence is inferential and empirical - the example of cells being recorded as changing every few years, etc.

The thing is, current science cannot really answer the Hard Question of Consciousness either, and the more honest materialists will own up to this.

So a practitioner is left either accepting that 1) such direct knowledge is possible via Buddhist practice, as the Buddha stated or 2) Buddhism is not trustworthy on this count, and we should wait on science to empirically verify its conclusions.

The obvious problem with (2) is that if (1) is correct, then assumptions about the limitations of ones direct experiences are also natural limits on ones practice. In a sense, one concedes that direct perception of reality is not possible, and that examination of the mind never leaves the realm of pure fantasy, as it is not verifiable via scientific empiricism currently ….rendering practice pointless as anything but therapeutic Dharma.

Again, whether or not you believe gnosis is possible by looking at your mind is pretty central to this whole question.

Certainly, therapeutic Dharma also is very valuable, but the two are not the same approach.

I imagine this applies to death, also.

One thing I always found interesting about the Pali Canon is that practices are often classified as “mundane” or conjoined with the path. It seems reasonable to me to say both approaches can exist here, and both lead to positive results, but important to know the difference.
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when afflicted by disease

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared

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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Jeff H »

Johnny Dangerous wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:30 pm The thing is, current science cannot really answer the Hard Question of Consciousness either, and the more honest materialists will own up to this.

So a practitioner is left either accepting that 1) such direct knowledge is possible via Buddhist practice, as the Buddha stated or 2) Buddhism is not trustworthy on this count, and we should wait on science to empirically verify its conclusions.

The obvious problem with (2) is that if (1) is correct, then assumptions about the limitations of ones direct experiences are also natural limits on ones practice. In a sense, one concedes that direct perception of reality is not possible, and that examination of the mind never leaves the realm of pure fantasy, as it is not verifiable via scientific empiricism currently.
I found this to be an especially clear and direct expression of the issue. Thanks JD!
Where now is my mind engaged? - Shantideva
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Giovanni »

Jeff H wrote: Wed Aug 31, 2022 1:57 pm
Johnny Dangerous wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:30 pm The thing is, current science cannot really answer the Hard Question of Consciousness either, and the more honest materialists will own up to this.

So a practitioner is left either accepting that 1) such direct knowledge is possible via Buddhist practice, as the Buddha stated or 2) Buddhism is not trustworthy on this count, and we should wait on science to empirically verify its conclusions.

The obvious problem with (2) is that if (1) is correct, then assumptions about the limitations of ones direct experiences are also natural limits on ones practice. In a sense, one concedes that direct perception of reality is not possible, and that examination of the mind never leaves the realm of pure fantasy, as it is not verifiable via scientific empiricism currently.
I found this to be an especially clear and direct expression of the issue. Thanks JD!
They are excellent points. Your (2) Johnny would specifically but not exclusively, undermine the whole Vajrayana position.
The teacher/student relationship is based on the teachers ability to convey direct knowledge of reality.
Anyone can reject that possibility, but we need to be clear that is what is implied by reducing Buddhadharma to the level of “theory”.
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Matt J
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Matt J »

One interesting about being a Western Buddhist is being "caught" between two paradigms: the Western materialist paradigm that basically holds that the truth is available to anyone, and the more available it is, the more reliable it is. However, the Eastern/Buddhist paradigm is the opposite. The majority is veiled in ignorance, basically mentally/physically ill. Accordingly, the first step to truth is to develop the mind's ability to penetrate this ignorance. To me, this focus on fundamentally calming the mind and preparing it to perceive clearly marks out Indic spiritual traditions from most others (i.e. Judeo-Christian).

Of course, this is a bit flimsy because science in the West has become sufficiently complicated that a typically scientist would need many years of education and training in order to perform and understand experiments. So I cannot walk into CERN or some a lab and verify the ins and outs of quantum physics (except very basic stuff like the double slit experiment). So in this way, we end up with two types of "sages" that we can choose to trust. The science sages have demonstrated enormous control over the relative, physical world, but have failed to deliver meaning, happiness, and equanimity like their Asian counterparts.

Now a Buddhist sage who has developed his/her/their mind to a high degree can look at say "yes, rebirth is true. The nature of mind is unborn, you can access part life memories, etc." This is not about taking drugs or something and having a hallucination--- it is about developing the mind so that it ca see clearly. None of this contradicts the findings of modern science. Nor should it: science is a method that restricts itself to a certain segment of the world (measurable, observable, repeatable). There have been no hypotheses or experiments run to prove that the mind is an epiphenomenon of the brain--- it is merely an assumption they make at science school (an assumption incidentally that doesn't really make sense). Science hasn't really revealed what matter is, much less what consciousness is, so to say there is some inherent contradiction is unsupportable.
Johnny Dangerous wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:30 pm So a practitioner is left either accepting that 1) such direct knowledge is possible via Buddhist practice, as the Buddha stated or 2) Buddhism is not trustworthy on this count, and we should wait on science to empirically verify its conclusions.
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PadmaVonSamba
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by PadmaVonSamba »

Curiously, the most obvious “proof” of rebirth, something that everyone can plainly see, is that here we are.
Of course, without fully analyzing what “we” (or “-I”) is, and still clinging to the idea of a truly existent “self”, one will quickly argue that this is no proof at all.
But, under thorough analysis, one will come to the conclusion that rebirth is certainly the case.

If rebirth isn’t obvious, and if one rejects the idea of a permanent or continuous “self”, then how does one explain being here now, as well as a minute ago?
EMPTIFUL.
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kirtu
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

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Phowa, Amitabha and Amitayus practice. Trying not to fall asleep before I finish my practice commitments. Not harming others, trying to accumulate merit and dedicate that to the Enlightenment of all beings, trying to help others when possible, reducing negativities and generally trying to follow the direction of my gurus.

It won't help others, but I was born memories of various hells (and not passing through them either). I was also born a memory of a higher realm. I also saw my father and mother before incarnating. For me these prove the words of the Buddha (not just these of course).
“Where do atomic bombs come from?”
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”

"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
Giovanni
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Giovanni »

kirtu wrote: Wed Aug 31, 2022 11:41 pm Phowa, Amitabha and Amitayus practice. Trying not to fall asleep before I finish my practice commitments. Not harming others, trying to accumulate merit and dedicate that to the Enlightenment of all beings, trying to help others when possible, reducing negativities and generally trying to follow the direction of my gurus.

It won't help others, but I was born memories of various hells (and not passing through them either). I was also born a memory of a higher realm. I also saw my father and mother before incarnating. For me these prove the words of the Buddha (not just these of course).
I think the obviously sincere words may well help others. We are not separate islands. In the end it is our own effort and insight, but the words of others can inspire.
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laic
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by laic »

I have a little envelope which gives some simple instructions for my funeral.

Cremation, humanist. Intro "Mr Tambourine Man" by Bob Dylan, Outro "Gracelands" by Paul Simon.

Wear what you like.

At some time during the event the concluding words of T. S. Eliot's "Four Quartets" which I love, beginning:- "The end of all our exploring......."

That's it.

Namu-Amida-Butsu!
Protecting oneself one protects others
Protecting others one protects oneself
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Aemilius »

PadmaVonSamba wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:04 pm
Malcolm wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:36 pm
PadmaVonSamba wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 1:30 pm
The point is, you can’t prove that it is verifiable.
You cannot prove it to ordinary people who lack the higher cognitions.
You can’t prove that anyone has some kind of “uncontaminated” sense perception.
You cannot prove it to ordinary people who lack the higher cognitions.
That too is a matter of faith.
Only to ordinary people who lack the higher cognitions. But even ordinary people who possess the higher cognitions can verify these things.

For example, if someone does not have a powerful microscope, they cannot verify claims of this or that microbe. Someone who has such an instrument is able to. If one wants to develop the higher cognitions, the method to do so is described by the Buddha in many places.
Can you please cite where the Buddha describes how one may prove that rebirth is a fact? That would be really useful.
You will acquire the knowledge of former births prior to enlightenment:

"The three knowledges (tevijja/trividya) are the insights that emerge just prior to enlightenment and which in the case of the last, is one of the prerequisites of the enlightenment experience. The first is the knowledge of past lives (pubbe nivàsànussati ñànàya) wherein one sees with great clarity and in detail the long parade of one's former lives. This dramatic experience allows one to verify the truth of rebirth from direct experience. The second is the knowledge of the arising and passing away of beings according to their kamma (satànaü cutupapàta ñànàya). With this knowledge one understands the complex and subtle workings of kamma. The Buddha said that while an ordinary person may believe in and accept the reality of kamma, only an enlightened person actually has a personal and direct knowledge of its operation (A.III,348 ff)."

(Guide To Buddhism A To Z,Three Knowledges)
svaha
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Sarvē mānavāḥ svatantrāḥ samutpannāḥ vartantē api ca, gauravadr̥śā adhikāradr̥śā ca samānāḥ ēva vartantē. Ētē sarvē cētanā-tarka-śaktibhyāṁ susampannāḥ santi. Api ca, sarvē’pi bandhutva-bhāvanayā parasparaṁ vyavaharantu."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1. (in english and sanskrit)
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by reiun »

Buddhavacana supported by faith seems to be the operative declaration/characterization regarding 'certifying' three centuries of work by disciples, editors, other authors, etc., interpreting (or making up) words in long oral passing-down.

P.S. There are probably more ways found by the non-"contaminated commoners" and other elites to rationalize their beliefs, but you probably couldn't prove it to them.
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Natan »

Knotty Veneer wrote: Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:51 am After a series of deaths of loved ones and with retirement age now approaching within a few years, my mind turns towards using the time I have left to prepare for the inevitable.

I wonder what others are doing to meet their end?
Practice the transmissions I received as much as possible. Teach whom I can. I've gotten a lot out of the "Tibetan Book of the Dead," the one translated by Gyurme Dorje (with the red and yellow cover). You can download a pdf. The sadhana there is easy to follow and I feel very helpful. It's meant to be liberation from hearing, so anyone can give it a go. It's very reassuring.
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Sādhaka
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Sādhaka »

Natan wrote: Thu Oct 13, 2022 9:54 amI've gotten a lot out of the "Tibetan Book of the Dead," the one translated by Gyurme Dorje (with the red and yellow cover). You can download a pdf. The sadhana there is easy to follow and I feel very helpful. It's meant to be liberation from hearing, so anyone can give it a go. It's very reassuring.

Anyone can read it, I think…?

But to do the Deity practices therein, you likely need to have received a Zhitro or Shitro Empowerment, yes?
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Natan »

Sādhaka wrote: Thu Oct 13, 2022 4:24 pm
Natan wrote: Thu Oct 13, 2022 9:54 amI've gotten a lot out of the "Tibetan Book of the Dead," the one translated by Gyurme Dorje (with the red and yellow cover). You can download a pdf. The sadhana there is easy to follow and I feel very helpful. It's meant to be liberation from hearing, so anyone can give it a go. It's very reassuring.

Anyone can read it, I think…?

But to do the Deity practices therein, you likely need to have received a Zhitro or Shitro Empowerment, yes?

Anyone can read it. It helps definitely to have the transmission and empowerments for Shitro. But there is no empowerment document with this here. The theme of the material is liberation by last resort. I have have various empowerments for Guhyagarbha and Shitro, but not this specific text. I read it out loud and it felt like genuine blessing. I don't think anyone will be damaged by reciting the Vajrasattva mantras and mandala offering without empowerment. The guru and deity yoga section is essentially a supplication. I think it fits into a gray area like the Drikung Ser Kyangma prayer. Others might disagree but in a pinch I'd rely on this and I have like when my mom and dad died.
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Sādhaka
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by Sādhaka »

Then there is this:

From the Elio Guarisco translation wrote:”This teaching is called the Great Liberation through Hearing because even those who have committed the five inexpiable crimes will certainly attain liberation on hearing the recitation of its words. Therefore, read it aloud in public places. The text should be circulated. Since awareness becomes nine times clearer during the intermediate state, even if this teaching is heard only once and even if its meaning is not comprehended, at the moment of death it will be remembered without a single word forgotten. For this reason, it should be read aloud to everyone during their lifetime. Read it aloud next to the pillow of those who are sick, next to the bodies of the dead. It should be spread near and far.”
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by weitsicht »

I will do the cleanup before exiting, hope I won't leave much stuff behind.
On YT there's a nice recording of the Book of the dead read by R. Gere I hope someone pushes the play button if I can't any longer so that I can hear.

If you guys have dharma items but most probably some non-buddhist will take care, please leave a note about what should be done with these.
And please do it (the note) now.
I am close to an institution that is so often asked to take over legacy items. It doesn't.

When someone dies in my circle who is not buddhist I usually don't bother them. Include them in my practise. And once dead I burn a whole candle uninterrupedly. The candle usually takes 3 days and nights so when sleeping or absent I put it in the closed bathroom (having 2 cats)
I acted differently when a friend non-buddhist had an accident and was in coma. I asked monks in India for prayers. She survived, is well up again.
Ho! All the possible appearances and existences of samsara and nirvana have the same source, yet two paths and two results arise as the magical display of awareness and unawareness.
HO NANG SRI KHOR DAE THAMCHE KUN ZHI CHIG LAM NYI DRAE BU NYI RIG DANG MA RIG CHOM THRUL TE
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weitsicht
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Re: How are you preparing for death?

Post by weitsicht »

Knotty Veneer wrote: Mon Aug 29, 2022 7:49 pm What practices help you face death and dying, and what have you learnt from them?
Dream Yoga
Ho! All the possible appearances and existences of samsara and nirvana have the same source, yet two paths and two results arise as the magical display of awareness and unawareness.
HO NANG SRI KHOR DAE THAMCHE KUN ZHI CHIG LAM NYI DRAE BU NYI RIG DANG MA RIG CHOM THRUL TE
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