Lama Zopa Rinpoche talks about the lack of formal education on dying in Western society and the need for a broader cultural understanding of assisting the dying. Everyone will encounter death and should learn how to offer support, regardless of whether they are a family member, friend, or even an enemy.
There are several essential practices for preparing for death, including devotion to a virtuous friend or guru, purifying mistakes and broken commitments, and cultivating the five powers in daily life, particularly bodhichitta and selflessness. A strong foundation of renunciation and bodhichitta is necessary in order for the tantric method of transferring consciousness to the pure land (powa) to be effective at the time of death. Merely knowing the technique is not enough if these foundational qualities are lacking.
The outcome of one's death depends on factors like guru devotion and spiritual progress. However, even non-religious individuals can achieve a positive and peaceful death through a sincere, ethical life filled with compassion. Rinpoche explains that fear and worry at the time of death are caused by negative states of mind. Cultivating a positive and virtuous mind allows even non-believers to face death peacefully.
The qualities that enable individuals to have profound deaths are not their intellect but their daily practice, unwavering devotion to their gurus, good samaya (pure spiritual commitments), and pure hearts that led to their remarkable transitions.
Rinpoche shares several stories illustrating the results of killing and stealing. The presence of insects and animals eating crops is a result of negative karma related to stealing. By killing them, one may temporarily eliminate the current individuals causing damage, but the underlying karmic cause remains, leading to new beings appearing and continuing the cycle. Therefore, the problem persists unless the negative karma is purified.
In one instance, a lama advised a person to make a party for mice, providing them with plenty of food. After the party, the mice left. By giving to the mice, the person may have settled a karmic debt, causing the mice to no longer disturb their house.
By purifying negative karma and living in moral restraint, one can attain the four results of happiness: a favourable rebirth, enjoyment without danger or sickness, the opportunity to continue practicing morality in future lives, and the accumulation of positive karma leading to happiness throughout lifetimes.
This teaching was given at Institut Vajra Yogini, France as part of a Four Kadampa Deities Retreat from April 18-May 11, 2003. You can see all the teachings from this retreat here:
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