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384 APPENDIX TWOcomplete? Doesn't this disturb or harm the consciousness at the moment beforedeath?Masters whom I have asked this question agree that organ donationis an extremely positive action, since it stems from a genuinelycompassionate wish to benefit others. So, as long as it is truly thewish of the dying person, it will not harm in any way the consciousnessthat is leaving the body. On the contrary, this final act of generosityaccumulates good karma. Another master said that anysuffering and pain that a person goes through in the process of givinghis or her organs, and every moment of distraction, turns into a goodkarma.Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche explained: "If the person is definitelygoing to die within a few moments, and has expressed the wish togive his organs, and his mind is filled with compassion, it is all rightfor them to be removed even before the heart stops bearing."What about cryonics, where a person's body, or just the head, is frozen toawait the time when medical science has advanced to the point where theycan be resuscitated?Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche called this utterly meaningless. One'sconsciousness cannot enter one's body again after one is actuallydead. The belief that one's corpse is being kept for future revival canobviously trap the person's consciousness in a tragically increasedattachment to the body, and so aggravate its suffering immensely andblock the process of rebirth. One master compares cryonics to goingdirectly to a cold hell, without even passing through the bardo state.What can we do for an aging parent, a father, for example,, who hasbecome senile or demented?At that point it may be of no use to try to explain the teachings,but practicing quietly or saying mantras or the names of the buddhasin his presence will definitely help. Kalu Rinpoche explains:You will be planting seeds. Your own aspirations and altruistic concern forhim in this situation are very important, In offering this service to yourfather in his unhappy circumstances, you must go about it with the best ofintentions, out of a true concern for his welfare and happiness, That is avery important factor in your relationship to him in these times... Thekarmic connection between parents and children is very strong, Much benefitcan be worked on subtle levels because of that bond, if our approachto our parents is marked by compassion and concern and our involvementin spiritual practice is not only for our sake, but for the benefit of otherbeings as well, particularly, in this case, our parents 7