Death

Every human culture that we know anything about has speculated about the true nature of death and have also wondered what happens to the individual when death occurs. This is something all people think about at some point in their lifetime.
Some people believe in reincarnation or dependent origination, while others believe that they would go to some sort of paradise after death if they lived decent lives. A minority believes that death is actually permanent and that once you are dead, you simply vanish forever.
According to Buddhist teachings, when you die, you enter a state ‘in-between’ lives called Ku. It can be described like this: You are running across a very long rope bridge. While you are running, you are alive. Then, at regular intervals, you come across a point where several of the bridge’s planks are missing. It is too large to simply step over, so you jump. The jump itself represents death while the time you are in the air represents the state between lives, called "Ku." Then you land at the other side, and continue running until the next jump.
If you are well trained and running steadily then this leap will be smooth and seamless. You will see the missing planks ahead as you run, prepare for them, and then nimbly leap across. It will be very quick and very painless; the time you spend in the air will be exhilarating.
However, if you have not trained you will run erratically and be forced to ‘take things as they come.’ You might see the holes in the bridge and somebody could certainly fall through them but it won’t be you! ("Oh sure, someday I’ll have to fall, but it won’t happen now, not to me!") When the inevitable happens, you’re not prepared and the time you are in the air is longer and far more terrifying.
. Some one who lives a good life will be happy and because he lives in the higher worlds he will die in the same condition. Some one who has led a miserable life will have an awful death. How you live this life sets up the conditions for your death as well as having a significant impact on your next life.
Life and death are often thought of as two separate things, but this is not reality. Birth is directly connected to death; you cannot stop death, unless you completely eliminate life. They cannot be separated as men have always dreamed, because they are ultimately the same thing.
This body you now inhabit is like your car. It may not be a Mercedes Benz, but it is yours. If this car, your body, gets into a state of disrepair then you go and have it fixed. If it becomes ruined beyond recovery, you abandon it for a new one. You are not really attached to the car very much because once it is ruined you find a new one.
If you were to somehow stay in this body after it died, then it would be like sitting behind the wheel of a ruined car. Nothing you do can make it functional again; it is transitory because it is dependent on causes and conditions, therefore it is destined to die.
This ego you have, that you’ve done so much to protect and defend is lost at death except for your karmic connections and your Buddha Nature. The ego is tied to your current body. When you get a new body, you get a new ego. Therefore, this ego is not you. It is there because it can be, not because it has to be. It is very easy to let the ego control the body. Many people do it, but they seldom find happiness
Death can sometimes be postponed for incredible amounts of time, but never forever. You should face death, looking at it as an old friend who always is there to help you find a new body. If you have thoroughly trained your mind and practice as our teacher instructed us then you will face death with confidence. Any other existence can lead to a death filled with pain, uncertainty, and anguish.
Is it not better to come to the moment of death knowing that you did to the very best you could? If you have led a truly happy life, filled with love and compassion how can your death be any different?
The road to the next life is one you have to travel alone. Even if you have fifty relatives and a thousand friends at your deathbed giving you comfort, they will be of no consequence at all when you die. Any non-violent death can be good. You do not have to die a certain way to be successful. However, if you die screaming and writhing in agony your next life might very well be a grim one.
If you live as Nichiren teaches then you will die in the same manner our teacher died, quietly chanting in a meditative state. If you manage to follow these simple instructions then you will lead a good life and experience a good rebirth.

By Bart Klick

Posted in: E-Article