Ridding death of its lament
Play
The Lord Buddha taught us to always be mindful of death, not to fear or flee it. We must instead focus on conducting our present lives in the moment. The way to do so is to lead lives without negligence.
In what should we be non-negligent?
_ In a life that it is long-lasting
_ In age, so that youth doesn’t wither
_ In health that remains good
_ In time that is always ample
_ In the dharma, that can wait to be taken up later.
If we are non-negligent in all five of these things, we will have no regret whenever a loved one dies or when we face our own death with the usual lament, “Had I known, I would have long ago made merit!”
If you wish to avoid such lament, to never miss the important moments in life or the opportunity to spend time with those who deserve your best care in this life, you should always be mindful of death.
When you realise and remain aware that death is constantly beckoning you, you will appreciate how valuable your life is, how important your parents, your life mate and your offspring are, how necessary is good health, and how wealth, property, authority, rank and title are just temporary illusions.
Death is like the bell of mindfulness, its chime reminding us to turn back to reality, to live with the core of life, leaving out the unnecessary surface masks.
When we stand face to face with death, everything in the world becomes so insignificant! We are reminded of death so as to reassert the essentials in life and to live as alert and awakened ones.
If the thought of death saddens or depresses you, this is not correct mindfulness of it. If conceived correctly, the realisation that we must all die one day awakens the mind to be aware of the ultimate truth, so that good deeds are performed without hesitation and life is spent to its full worth.
That is samma ditthi, the right view, and samma patipati, the right action, as direct outcomes of mindfulness of death.
“Avassa mya maritappam,” say the scriptures. “One day we must die.”
“Jivitam aniccam – life is impermanent.”
“Maranam me jivitam – death is permanent.”
In becoming aware of the ultimate truth, we should then conduct our lives with diligence. Vices must be studiously avoided and virtues studiously displayed. If we delay in demonstrating our virtue, when death calls, regret and sadness linger in the mind long after.
But the awakened ones who develop and maintain mindfulness of death and lead their lives with diligence will not be saddened or startled by death. They are ready to face it, like workers who wait for closing time with delight and are ready to leave at once.
This is the last in a three-part series on the contemplation of death.
This column by prominent Buddhist preacher Phramaha Vudhijaya Vajiramedhi, better known by his pen name V Vajiramedhi, appears on the first Sunday of every month.
