The-Tibetan-Book-of-Living-and-Dying

QUESTIONS ABOUT DEATH 383
According to the Buddhist teachings we should do everything we
can to help the dying cope with their deterioration, pain, and fear,
and offer them the loving support that will give the end of their lives
meaning. Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of St. Christopher's Hospice
in London, said: "If one of our patients requests euthanasia, it means
we are not doing our job." She argues against the legalization of
euthanasia, and says:
We are not so poor a society that we cannot afford time and trouble and
money to help people live until they die. We owe it to all those for whom
we can kill the pain which traps them in fear and bitterness, To do this
we do not have to kill them,,,, To make voluntary [active] euthanasia
lawful would be an irresponsible act, hindering help, pressuring the vulnerable,
abrogating our true respect and responsibility to the frail and the
old, the disabled and dying 6
SOME OTHER QUESTIONS
What happens to the consciousness of a baby that is aborted, or dies very
young? What can the parents do to help the baby?
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche explained:
The consciousness of those who die before birth, at birth, or in infancy will
travel once again through the bardo states, and take on another existence.
The same meritorious practices and actions can be done for them as are
usually performed for the dead: the purification practice and mantra recitation
of Vajrasattva, offering of lights, purification of the ashes, and so on.
In the case of an abortion, in addition to these usual practices, if
the parents feel remorse they can help by acknowledging it, asking
for forgiveness, and performing ardently the purification practice of
Vajrasattva. They can also offer lights, and save lives, or help others,
or sponsor some humanitarian or spiritual project, dedicating it to the
well-being and future enlightenment of the baby's consciousness.
What happens to the consciousness of a person who commits suicide?
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche said:
When a person commits suicide, the consciousness has no choice but to follow
its negative karma, and it may well happen that a harmful spirit will
seize and possess its life force, In the case of suicide, a powerful master
must perform special kinds of practices, such as fire ceremonies and other
rituals, in order to free the dead person's consciousness.
Should we donate our organs when we die? What if they have to be
removed while the blood is still circulating or before the process of dying is