Special Topics
Making a Will in Advance and Facing Death Head-On
Ordinary people are afraid of death. However, Buddhism teaches people to face life and death directly, contemplate impermanence at all times, be prepared for death at all times, and most importantly, seize the present moment to make vows and fulfill them. Only then, can we bid farewell with a smile as death approaches, and go to the next life without fear. People who often write articles and do research projects are certainly no strangers to deadlines. Whenever they...
The Buddha's demonstration of his final journey
In fact, over 2,500 years ago, the Buddha provided his followers with a model example of how to "prepare for the end of life" before he entered nirvana. These related teachings were compiled in the "Long Discourses - Sutra of the Account of Travels" (equivalent to the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra in Theravada Buddhism) as well as the "Sutra on the Buddha's Bequeathed Teachings." In the last year of his life, the Buddha embarked on a journey starting fr...
The Buddha Teaches You to Say Goodbye Properly
When his own father was on the deathbed, and his chief disciple passed away, what kind of teachings did the Buddha give to the assembly? And what kind of example did he set? When facing with the sorrow and reluctance of parting with loved ones, how does the Buddha guide the public? Let us learn together. The Buddha carried his father's coffin, fulfilling his filial duty and preaching about impermanence When his father King Śuddhodana was on the deathbed, how did the Buddha bid farew...
Contemplating death with a remembrance of impermanence
Reflecting on death is not meant to fill us with fear or scare us. The practice of contemplating death and accepting death as part of life can help us reconsider the priorities in our life. When we can prepare ourselves for death in advance; thus, we will not panic or have any regrets when our final moment comes. The late Thai master Ajahn Chah once said, "Imagine you go to a fortune teller and he tells you that 'you will die within seven days.' Do you think you can ...
Remaining Steadfast in the Face of Aging, Illness and Death
In the sutras, the Buddha reminds us that the length of a person's life is actually the interval between an exhalation and inhalation, and death follows us like our shadow. We should constantly reflect and remain aware on this, while making the most of our human form by practicing diligently in order to escape from the vast samsaric ocean of birth and death. In the face of aging, sickness and death, what level are you as a practitioner? Matters of life and death are critical, unpred...