2SPnm9ZVc

XFOREWORDThe actual point of death is also when the most profoundand beneficial inner experiences can come about Throughrepeated acquaintance with the processes of death in meditation,an accomplished meditator can use his or her actual deathto gain great spiritual realization. This is why experienced practitionersengage in meditative practices as they pass away Anindication of their attainment is that often their bodies do notbegin to decay until long after they are clinically dead.No less significant than preparing for our own death ishelping others to die well. As a newborn baby each of us washelpless and, without the care and kindness we received then,we would not have survived. Because the dying also areunable to help themselves, we should relieve them of discomfortand anxiety, and assist them, as far as we can, to die withcomposure.Here the most important point is to avoid anything whichwill cause the dying person's mind to become more disturbedthan it may already be. Our prime aim in helping a dying personis to put them at ease, and there are many ways of doingthis. A dying person who is familiar with spiritual practicemay be encouraged and inspired if they are reminded of it,but even kindly reassurance on our part can engender a peaceful,relaxed attitude in the dying person's mind.Death and Dying provide a meeting point between theTibetan Buddhist and modern scientific traditions. I believeboth have a great deal to contribute to each other on the levelof understanding and of practical benefit. Sogyal Rinpoche isespecially well placed to facilitate this meeting; having beenborn and brought up in the Tibetan tradition, he has receivedinstructions from some of our greatest Lamas. Having alsobenefitted from a moden education and lived and worked asa teacher for many years in the West, he has become wellacquainted with Western ways of thought.This book offers readers not just a theoretical account ofdeath and dying, but also practical measures for understanding,and for preparing themselves and others in a calm and fulfillingway.June 2, 1992The Dalai Lama