What my father's death taught me about 'Being Mortal' - Kevin O'Connor

[vlyons]

2. As a Buddhist, I do not fear death

But I do fear the physical pain and debilitation of old age. I'm 71 with heart problems. I recently did a retreat on the Buddhist teachings about what happens in the death process. I don't know what, if anything, continues after the death of the body, but I'm open to the possibility that my mind stream continues. Buddhism teaches that when we die, the only thing that we take with us is our mind. All compound things are impermanent. Life is a continuous stream of unfolding, becoming, death, and dissipation. Indeed each moment dies and becomes the next moment. Each phase of life merges into whatever comes next. And because things are not eternal, change is constantly occurring. We humans, through the power of our mind, aspirations, and perseverance shape our future.

The Buddhist teaching is that when we die, the only thing that we take with us is our mind. That's why today, in this life, we practice training the mind in love and compassion, rather than the negative mental habits of anger, greed, and self-cherishing.

As a Mahayana Buddhist, we want to come back as a human and work for the liberation of all sentient beings. Besides, it's always now. My prayer is:

When all appearances of this life disappear,
May I with ease and great happiness
Let go of all attachments to this life.
Like a child returning home.