Lake of Lotus (31) - The Profound Abstruseness of Life and Death-The Meaning of NDEs (31) - by Vajra Master Pema Lhadren-Dudjom Buddhist Association

The Profound Abstruseness of
Life and Death
By Vajra Master Pema Lhadren

Translated by Simon S.H. Tang
What is the Ultimate Assistance in the First Stage of Approaching Death?

What is the Ultimate Tragedy and Ignorance of Mankind?
The Importance of Life and Death Education
Excerpt of Last Chapter: Various

1. The Separation of the Four Elements the main
Reasons on the Formation of
cause (the internal consciousness and sub-
Different Scenes at the Moment of
consciousness, including all kinds of memories)
Death
conjoins with the auxiliary conditions (the Sepa-
The scenes at the moment of death can be roughly
stances) in forming the scenes at the moment of
classified in the following categories in accord with
death (please refer to the articles on The Mean-
the varieties of the main causes and auxiliary con-
ing of Near-death Experiences in Issues 8 and 20
ditions:
of the Lake of Lotus).
ration of the Four Elements in the external circum-
Issue no.31
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2. The Endorphins Inside the Brain the main
cious persons or beasts, and going along in
cause (the internal consciousness and sub-
company with groups of people who looked
consciousness) conjoins with the auxiliary con-
confused.
ditions (the endorphins inside the brain of the

external circumstances) in forming the scenes at
2. Strange places: (i) good ones saw pavilions, bal-
the moment of death (please refer to the article
conies, buildings, flower fields, rivers, light zones,
on The Meaning of Near-death Experiences in
towns or cities.
Issue 21 of the Lake of Lotus).

(ii) bad ones saw wilderness, forests, darkness,
3. The Karmic Forces the main cause (the in-
caverns, hells.
ternal consciousness and sub-consciousness)

conjoins with the auxiliary conditions (the kar-
3. Messy Issues that cannot be recalled clearly.
mic forces of the external circumstances) in forming the scenes at the moment
How would the Buddhist point of view
of death. This can be further
comment on these phenomena? Ac-
classified into the following two
cording to the Buddhist teachings, it
kinds:
was said that rebirth would take place

within forty-nine days after a person has
i. Wholesome Ones arising
passed away, then why would a dying
from: (a) virtuous retribu-
person see the kith and kin who had
tions (please refer to the
passed away long time ago still coming
article on The Meaning of
to fetch for him or her? Why had not the
Near-death Experiences in
kith and kin taken rebirths after so many
Issue 21 of the Lake of Lo-
years posthumously? Are the appear-
tus); and (b) the efforts of
ances of these deceased persons merely
ones Dharma practice (the
the illusions of the person
main theme of this article in
who is going to die? Or
this issue).
were they really true?

Are there any other rea-
ii. Unwholesome Ones arising from: (a) vicious
sons? Are those strange places the
retributions; and (b) the forces of karmic credi-
destinations where they are going to
tors in seeking compensations on ones karmic
be reborn into? Under what
debts.
circumstances
would
the normal rebirth of a

According to the records of different surveys, most of
dying person be nega-
the dying people had seen the following scenes:
tively encumbered? Is there any

way to help a deceased person
1. Protectors or avengers: (i) good ones saw kith
to avert sufferings and elevate to
and kin who had passed away, unknown protec-
a better place of rebirth?
tors, deities or Buddhas coming to fetch for oneself
Human beings have four kinds

of conditions of consciousness
(ii) bad ones being besieged by a crowd of fero-
(please refer to the article The

3
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Wisdom in Directing Ones Dharma Practice in Issue
ness and change of scenes at the
26 of the Lake of Lotus) as follows:
moment of death for guiding the

emotions and spiritual direction
1. Beta waves the conscious condition of daily
of the dying patients? Could
living;
the transformation of consciousness and the change
2. Alpha a waves the relaxed consciousness con-
of scenes at the moment of
dition, such as in entering into the elementary
death be complementary
stage of visualization, or at the first stage of men-
to each other? Further-
tal concentration; or the condition when the spiri-
more, the disintegration
tual body is slowly separating from the physical
of the Four Elements of
body;
the physical body also

affects the transformation of consciousness, as well
3. Theta O waves the peaceful conscious condi-
as on the change of the scenes at the moment of
tion of having entered into higher levels of visu-
death. Hence, how should one support and provide
alization, or at the deeper levels of mental con-
guidance to a dying patient in order to reduce or re-
centration;
solve the predicament from these problems?
4. Deltawaves slow conscious condition of not
What is the Ultimate Assistance in the First
having any dreams, and in a stage of slow-wave
Stage of Approaching Death?
deep sleep.
The care-givers, kin and kith and professional coun-
In fact, how does
selors should perform the following steps when a dy-
the arising of the dif-
ing person is approaching the first stage of death:
ferent stages in approaching death and
1. Accepting and Understanding
its transformation of
2. Listening and Observing
consciousness affect
3. Analyzing and Adopting
the thoughts and be-
4. Leading Out and Guiding In
haviors of dying pa-
5. Accompanying with Unspoken Consensus
tients? What are their

relationships with the
The key points of application and their importance on
scenes at the mo-
the issues of Accepting and Understanding and Lis-
ment of death? How
tening and Observing had been clearly highlighted in
should the family and
the cases of the last chapter (please refer to the article
kin and kith who take
The Meaning of Near-death Experiences in Issue 30
care of the dying pa-
of the Lake of Lotus). To most people, the issues of
tients respond to the transformation of conscious-
Accepting and Understanding and Listening and
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Observing are not dif-
people attribute the outcomes to fortune, or the
ficult to do and it is rela-
trend of times, or ability. However, the question is
tively easy to carry out un-
not merely due to these issues. Most importantly,
der the call of love and
whether the key point has been wrongly set when
with ones wisdom. Not
an analysis is made? Are the facets and direction
too many skills will be re-
of the analysis pinpointing to the problem?
quired. Even though a person has never learned of
There are at least two parts to the issue of Analyz-
the relevant know-how nor
ing and Adopting. The first part of Analyzing and
have received any such
Adopting is to be led by a dying patient, while the
relevant training, he or she
second part of Analyzing and Adopting is to be
can
spontaneously
led by the care-givers, kin and kith and professional
provide proper care or re-
counselors. We would start our discussion with the
solve various problems for
first part of Analyzing and Adopting which is to be
the seriously-ill persons, or
led by the dying patient.
still
dying patients.
In order to achieve the state of dying without regret,
However, the quality and depth of the resolution to
full availability of favorable causes and auxiliary
a problem would be inadequate or im-
conditions, such that a good
perfect, due to lack of relevant know-
death with no fear of any illu-
how or training by the participants. In
sory changes after death will all
order that both the care-giving family
have to depend on the correct-
members and the dying patients do
ness of the prior analysis. Only
not have remorse which will be too late
with the correct analysis can an
to repent later on, but only ultimate of-
application of a right method to
fering in farewell with a heart-to-heart
be used. In fact, what are key
connection and having no trace of re-
points, facets and directions of
gret, the following three steps should
analysis? Lets have a look at a
be included in the issues that must
true case and then the answer
be done when a dying patient is ap-
could become clearer and easier
proaching the first stage of death.
to handle.
3. Analyzing and Adopting Analyzing
A pioneer on these cases is Dr.
is an important element in every case of success.
Chao Co-Shi who has been honored as the Mother
However, why did so many people fail although
of Palliative Care in Taiwan. Dr. Chao has obtained a
having made detailed analysis in advance? Even
B.Sc. in Nursing from the National Taiwan University,
though they are successful, but then the results
a M.Sc. in Oncology Nursing and a Ph.D. in Pallia-
are just marginal and barely satisfactory. Many
tive Care from the Case Western Reserve Universi5
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ty, USA. She had been
the cradle of hospice care. She collected numer-
working as a nurse in
ous valuable materials and returned home to Taiwan
the
upon her completion of study in 1993.
National
Taiwan
University Hospital and

as a teacher and the
From time to time, Dr. Chao Co-Shi had come across
head of practicum at
media reports about suicides
the Cardinal Tien Col-
of the youths in society,
lege of Nursing. She is a
which has reflected on
founder of the Catholic
the lack of life edu-
Sanipax Socio-Medical
cation
Service and the Educa-
people. The reasons
tion Foundation. She is
for the youths to end
presently a professor
their lives could be very
at the Medical School,
complicated, including
National Cheng Kung
the poor ability against
University.
the pressures of frus-
for
modern
trations. Coupling
Dr. Chao Co-Shi was
with the difficul-
born in 1948 and her
ties and suffer-
hometown
the
ings that are encountered by most dying people, it
province of Zhejiang.
makes Dr. Chao Co-Shi to realize that the most need-
She has 37 years of nursing experiences in service.
ed, and the most lacking, thing in contemporary so-
In 1987 she was extremely shocked by the suicide
ciety is life and death education. Dr. Chao Co-Shi
of eight terminal cancer patients, and has eye-wit-
has been actively nurturing the seeds of teachers
nessed the miserable scenes that the patients could
for life and death education. With her ample experi-
not stand the physical and spiritual tortures, resulting
ences in this area, she has exemplified many contem-
in the hanging of themselves to death. She kept ask-
plative and heart-breaking cases.
is
in
ing herself as to what could be done to help these
What is the Ultimate Tragedy and Ignorance
people? Therefore, she set aside her nursing career

determinedly, and went for further studies abroad
of Mankind?
in palliative care for those patients who have suffered from all sorts of torment. The expensive tuition
Dr. Chao Co-Shi have found that, for various reasons,
fees and living costs had stalled her pace, but with
most people tend to insist on the physicians, by all
her concerted efforts, she eventually made it. In the
means, to keep on resuscitating their family members
course of her studies and practicum, she had vis-
who were obviously at the very last moment of life.
ited over fifty hospice organizations in USA within
As such, the patient suffers all sorts of torment and
five years, and had visited Britain six times which is
torture, and finally dies in aversion. One of the cases
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is about an old lady at an
did not want to be involved
age of 73, who had been
in the lawsuit and waste
carried out thorough analy-
their time and efforts in the
sis beforehand, had also
court. As a result, they had
taken various measures in
no other alternatives but to
the hope of a good death
strive for full resuscitation
without regrets, while hav-
accordingly. After numerous
ing full availability of all the
times of defibrillation and
favorable causes and aux-
cardio-pulmonary resusci-
iliary conditions.
tation (CPR), the old lady

was scrambled to broken
This old lady came to know
pieces before death. Without
that she had gotten breast
possible resistance on her
cancer, and so she had
part, the old ladys last will
clearly told her family mem-
of settling down for a good
bers of her last will, and
death by the chanting of the
then got set for her treat-
Buddhas Holy Name, so as
ments in a relaxing manner.
to be reborn to the Western
Four years later, however,
Paradise of the Greatest Joy
the cancer recurred and it was metastasized to vari-
in peace, unpredictably turned out to be the most un-
ous parts of her body, such as lung, liver, brain and
speakable pains of violent crush for her.
bone. She knew that her remaining time would not be

long, and so not only did she sign up for the DNR
During the last four years of her meticulous arrange-
Consent (DNR: Do Not Resuscitate), but also told
ments and thorough analysis, the children of the old
her children that she would not want to be disturbed
lady appeared to be very filial and obedient, when
during the dying process. She only wanted to chant
she was still energetic and powerful enough. As what
the Buddhas Holy Name for rebirth to the Western
is stated in the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra
Paradise of the Greatest Joy with peace in mind.
that it is unexpected that the avengers and karmic

creditors would swamped for the fiercest ultimate at-
When the old lady was at the verge of her death, one
tacks at the pivotal moment of ones death. Whether it
of her sons claimed that the inheritance had not been
was an issue of fortune, trend of times, or ability; or
fairly distributed, and since there was no consensus
was it an issue of problematic analysis? Even after the
reached among the siblings, the physicians should
duration of a few decades while bringing up her chil-
not let her die, or else they would be subjected to
dren, the old lady still did not know what were in her
lawsuit on medical negligence. Even though the old
childrens minds, then an analysis merely for a period
lady had already signed the DNR Consent (which
of four years, the key point would most likely to be set
is a legal document in Taiwan), yet the physicians
in a wrong way. Didnt she prepare her last will in writ-
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ing already? Even if she had her last will prepared in
and had attempted to remove the tubes by himself
advance, would it make any difference? Please go on
for several times. The nurses had no choice but to
to the next case study, and then you will soon know
tie up his hands. The old man kept kicking with his
that even with the protection of the law, there are still
feet so as to express his anger. Due to over stress-
flaws around, and is not necessarily a perfect kind
ing, the Foley catheter was pulled out, thus causing
of arrangement. [In Chapter 8 of the Appraisals of
haematuria. The nurses again had to tie up his legs
Yama Raja in the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra
as well. As a result, he was in a complete tie-up and
(0784c03), there were descriptions that when a phi-
bed-bound situation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
lanthropist in Jambudvipa is about to pass away,
for two weeks. He kept on weeping. At last, his el-
there are also various devas and demons appear-
der son was able to hurry back to Taiwan. However,
ing in the figures of relevant parents, or even kith
the old man totally disregarded his childrens callings
and kin, coming to fetch for him. They might lead the
and just closed his eyes and turned his head away.
deceased to the Three Evil Paths, so not to mention
He did not even bother to have a peep on them. He
those who have committed crimes.]
made such a way of silent protest until his last breath.
Another old man, at an age of 89, was a pious Catho-
In fact, the setting up of a will while one is still alive
lic. He was optimistic and be content with his life situ-
is futile. As a matter of fact, during the dying process,
ation. He had made his last will at the age of 70, and
those people who can actually be in control of oneself
hoped that his children would not let him subject to
are the closest kin around. The dearest thing to these
tubing and dripping at the end of his life, so that he

can return to Heaven peacefully.
Nevertheless, when he got really sick due
to failures of various organs, his children
were concerned about the criticism from
their neighbors that they were not filial.
Also at the same time, their elder brother
in the USA would come back in time to see
their father off, and so they insisted that
the physician should endeavor to rescue
by all means.
According to Dr. Chao Co-Shi, the old
man had a clear mind before his death.
He was naked and hooked up with a
bunch of tubing. He could not speak
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closest kin is most unlikely to be you, but other
that it will turn around 180 degrees to become good?
items such as money, power, or face. At that mo-
As a matter of fact, no matter how deep is the love,
ment, you do not have any authority or influence, and
it is still highly unreliable. Please again refer to the
are not even to be at par with casual criticisms of the
following case study, and then you will find out more.
neighbors. Even if you have

some energy and are still
A 42 years-old lady suffered
movable, you might only man-
from ovarian cancer, and the
age to struggle to do some-
cancer had been metastasized
thing. If you scramble along
in an advanced stage. Her
in an unsuitable manner, you
husband begged the physi-
might end up in a bigger insult
cian to save her life by all
like being tied up as a hairy
means, since they have three
crab. Your children have no
very small children who could
time to see you while you are
not afford to lose their mother.
still in sound health. However,
For such a purpose, regard-
when you are going to die,
less of whatever kind of re-
they want to prolong your life
suscitation must be applied.
so that they do not have the
When her breath stopped, the
feelings of regret afterwards,
physician endeavored to carry
and that is why they want you
out CPR but it was futile.
to linger on even though with

more sufferings. They would not hesitate to hook you
Her husband entered the ward and found blood be-
up to tubing, in nude, and tie you up completely such
ing stained all over his beloved wifes face and the
that there is hardly any dignity left for you. For a dy-
pillow. There was a thick tube in her mouth with blood
ing patient, the issues of respect, autonomy, dignity
stain at the corner of her mouth. Tears from the tips
and so on are all amazing graces that are hard to
of her eyes also wet the pillow drape. He embraced
come by. However, your closest kin would not show
his wife who was bleeding from all of her orifices and
the slightest trace of compassion and pity to you at
screamed, What have they done to you? When he
that very moment.
came to know that this was the consequence of resuscitation, he became so heartbroken, and kept
Could it be the case that they do not love you? If, on
pounding on his own chest and cried, It is my fault! I
the other hand, they do really love you, does it mean
am so sorry! Please pardon me!

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disputes, physicians have no other alternatives
The Importance of ''Life and Death
but to carry out the resuscitation, which really vio-
Education''
lates the professional code of ethics for the medical profession.
To love you turns out to be hurting you. The deeper is
d. As for society, the total costs of healthcare
the love and the severer is the hurt. It is all due to one
resources each year are immeasurable.
thing: total ignorance. As such, the more it manifests

the importance of life and death education.
How much longer should we allow this sort of

culture of inferior quality to be continued? It is wor-
Dr. Chao Co-Shi said that whenever she came across
thy of our deep thoughts on this! Family members
such kind of settings, she would have all sorts of
such as parents, spouses, sons and daughters are
strong feelings and emotions.
all our dearest kin, and so it
Even some patients who have ba-
is difficult to abandon them,
sically been dead, but have con-
or to be separated from each
tinued to live on only through the
other. Hence, every opportu-
mechanical ventilators of artificial
nity should have been given
respiratory machines, such that
to those who might be able
the up-and-down motions of ones
to be rescued. Under the
chest still goes on. As a matter
circumstance of incurabil-
of fact, postmortem lividity has
ity, however, if the family
already appeared on the soles.
members still insist to waste
There are frequent cases that
all the resources neces-
odors of putrefaction had been
sary even for such incurable
smelt in less than an hour after the
cases, and heartlessly allow
physician certified the death of a
a family member to suffer all
dying person.
the unnecessary torments

without being aware of this,
Dr. Chao Co-Shi said that it is, indeed, a tragedy of all
this is mainly due to the problem on the neglect and
mankind. Those are not simply individual cases, but,
lack of life and death education. Since resuscita-
in fact, they have occurred everyday in all the hospi-
tion is usually carried out in the ICU without the pres-
tals of Taiwan. Dr. Chao Co-Shi indicated that this sort
ence of family members, and so they are totally un-
of human tragedy could be said to be a real loss for
aware of this kind of situation.
all the four parties concerned:

People should have a kind heart of compassion
a. Patients cannot die in peace;
and should not be dragged along by a nave and
b. Family members feel shameful and remorseful
ignorant mind, such that some deeds against
afterwards;
compassion are being done to others. At least, ones
c. Under the circumstances of possible medical
family members should be left with the last
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sense of dignity. What is this nave and ignorant
wealth for the next generation. In order to achieve
mind? The following case study would provide the
the state of dying without regret, such that a good
best illustration on this point.
death and fearlessness to any illusory changes after

death could occur, a full availability of the favorable
Dr. Chao Co-Shi indicated that an old man was linger-
causes and auxiliary conditions will be needed which
ing in the last moment of his life. His children asked
will have to depend upon the correctness of ones
a fortune-teller to predict the
prior analysis. With the correct
future fortunes of the family
analysis, an application of the right
basing upon some personal
method can be used. In fact, what
figures.
are key points, facets and directions
The
fortune-teller
told them that if the old man
of analysis?
can pass away before a

certain date, then the family
1. Direction of Analysis The ma-
fortune would be declined,
jor, as well as the most important, di-
and their future generations
rection of analysis is to ensure one-
would then become poor.
self would be able to maintain ones
Hence, the children de-
autonomy under a circumstance
manded the physician, by
where the person has already lost
hook or by crook, not to let
ones ability to take care of oneself.
the old man to pass away
A piece of legal document on ones
so soon. Consequently, the
last will would only be one of the pro-
old man was resuscitated
tections, but not necessarily a per-
for over a dozen times. Just merely the cardiotonic
fect arrangement.
injection had been made for over a thousand shots.

The nurses were fatigued for giving these injections.
2. The Facets of Analysis A view
Eventually, only after the date that was specified by
on the opposite side of the issue
the fortune-teller was over that the children finally
must also be included in ones
agreed and allowed all the tubing from the old man
analysis, and one should not
to be removed, and only until then was he allowed to
take the apparent appearance
rest in peace.
of things for granted. For example, if the children appear
The ruthlessness of these so-called sons and daugh-
to be filial and obedient, the
ters is absolutely thrilling. Sheer ignorance in con-
person should not let go
junction with the nave and ignorant mind would
easily just because one
cause people to lose their humanity. A dying person
does not want to impair
and ones corpse after death both become a money-
the relationship of mu-
making project of Feng Shui in the hope of making
tual trust. Conditional

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clauses of certain sanc-
who do not love you; those who
tions need to be provided
are ignorant and those who
in ones last will, such that in
are knowledgeable; as well as
case if there are any viola-
those who are superstitious and
tions against ones wishes
those who are not superstitious.
in the will, all the benefits
Generally, the reason why you are
that had been appointed
brought into a situation of failing
for the beneficiaries of the
at the final stage of just one step
relevant person would then
away from the goal, while dying in
be forfeited. It should be
a miserable way, or having to en-
clearly defined and stated
counter an accident which is out
that, under what conditions
of the scope of ones meticulous
and circumstances if cer-
plan is due to one of the following
tain deeds and actions have
conditions: the person loves you
been committed, then these
but being ignorant, and so he or
will become violations of the
she is hurting you by mistakes; or
wishes of your will. The kinds of benefits that have
that the person does not love you, and so he or
been forfeited from the beneficiaries should better
she is hurting you by taking any opportunity avail-
be donated to charities so as to avoid sinister plots
able; or that the person is very superstitious, and
from relevant personnel. After all, secrets are the
so love is no longer functional since you are being
most difficult things to be kept in this world, apart
hurt because the person has lost in ones wrong
from oneself alone. A person who is the incum-
beliefs. Hence, how to make arrangements and
bent to execute ones will should be an indepen-
provide training for those family members who will
dent third party without any conflicts of interests,
be in charge of your personal safety is the top pri-
such as a reliable lawyer. The details of the ben-
ority. In analyzing their characteristics and then try
efits and the names of beneficiaries of ones will
to divide them into two groups is for one
should only be revealed posthumously, whereas
to adopt the appropriate methods
the announcement of the penalty clauses of the
in resolving the potential risks and
will must be done before one starts to lose ones
possible accidents.
own autonomy. In other words, the beneficences

in the will should not be revealed, while only the
The dark ugly side of human-
penalty clauses would be fully disclosed. All in all,
ity and its dangers lie in that it
the main theme is to give warning but no foretell-
is very difficult for one to make
ing. Any close family members who could control
any precautions. Usually these
your personal safety must be arranged to learn
are hidden and hard to be aware
about life and death education, certainly includ-
of at normal times. Yet, all of a
ing yourself.
sudden upon a dangerous and

urgent moment, these will ex-
3. The Key Points of Analysis The most impor-
pose so quickly that it is almost
tant key point should be based upon the nature
impossible to take
of humanity. Your close family members should
proper
be divided into two or more groups: basing upon
for them. Sometimes,
the principle of those who love you and those
even those persons
precautions
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who cause harms to others do not anticipate that they
hungry specters or the animals, one would then be
themselves would cause such harms to their dying
caught in that kind of a predicament for thousands of
patients. Therefore, the major key point in the pro-
years. It would be million times more miserable than
cess of ones analysis should be mainly focused
the above-mentioned old man who had been tied up
on the nature of humanity. It is actually the human
and bed-bound for twenty some days.
beings, especially our dearest kin, who are your closest people who could be in total control of our own
When you are at the first stage in approaching death,
personal safety. It is better for one to securely adopt
you would experience drifting along, having a feeling
a protective net which is well-
of intertwining with reality and illu-
planned and developed after
sion. Yet, if you still have not made
meticulous and correct analysis
ready for your protection net, you
by adopting the right methods,
better hurry up to complete the is-
rather than to hand over the
sues of analyzing and adopting.
most important pivotal moment
All in all, it is better to finish it soon-
of your entire life to the trust
er than later, though later is better
of someone, which is just like a
than not doing it at all, and doing
kind of gambling. Your trust
less is better than totally ignoring
could have blind points, as
it. Otherwise, when you get frailer,
it is either wholly or partly gov-
when the death signals appear
erned by emotions, while the
with abnormal language and be-
base of your rationality wavers
haviors show up, you would miss
from moment to moment.
the opportunity for any remedy. At

that stage, there is no other option
Therefore, a method to be adopted, after detailed
but pending for the arrival of appropriate conditions
and correct analysis, must be meticulous and up-
and with fortune; or leave it to the blessings of the
to-the-point. One must not be soft-hearted or being
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas... (To be Continued)
a miser. For instance, one should not hand over the

inheritance to the close kin well in advance, simply
because of being tired of troubles or reluctant to pay
(Remarks: (1) The newly-released book on The
for the service charges. As such, one would totally
Meanings of Near-Death Experiences (1) has been
lose ones own authority and governing power,
published. Its contents include the articles on The
and come to a risk of a heavy betting and may lose
Meanings of the Near-Death Experiences from Is-
everything eventually. Once lost, it would be a total
sues 1 to 10. (2) The Meanings of Near-death Expe-
loss. One should be aware of the fact that the loss
riences (2) The Key Points at the Moment of Death
of money is not a serious matter, but the failure to

capture the pivotal moment at death is the loss of
ones future destiny and rebirth to a better domain.
In case if the person falls into the realm of either the
and the Essential Revelations of the Tibetan Book of

the Dead has been published. Its contents include
the articles on The Meanings of the Near-Death Experiences from Issues 11 to 20.)
13
Issue no.31
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Lake of Lotus (31) - The Profound Abstruseness of Life and Death-The Meaning of NDEs (31) - by Vajra Master Pema Lhadren-Dudjom Buddhist Association

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Lake of Lotus (31) - The Profound Abstruseness of Life and Death-The Meaning of NDEs (31) - by Vajra Master Pema Lhadren-Dudjom Buddhist Association

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The Profound Abstruseness of

Life and Death

By Vajra Master Pema Lhadren

What is the Ultimate Assistance in the First Stage of Approaching Death?

Excerpt of Last Chapter: Various

Reasons on the Formation of

cause (the internal consciousness and sub-

Different Scenes at the Moment of

consciousness, including all kinds of memories)

conjoins with the auxiliary conditions (the Sepa-

The scenes at the moment of death can be roughly

stances) in forming the scenes at the moment of

classified in the following categories in accord with

death (please refer to the articles on The Mean-

the varieties of the main causes and auxiliary con-

ing of Near-death Experiences in Issues 8 and 20

of the Lake of Lotus).

ration of the Four Elements in the external circum-

4th Floor, Federal Centre, 77 Sheung On Street, Chaiwan, Hong Kong

2. The Endorphins Inside the Brain the main

cious persons or beasts, and going along in

cause (the internal consciousness and sub-

company with groups of people who looked

consciousness) conjoins with the auxiliary con-

ditions (the endorphins inside the brain of the

2. Strange places: (i) good ones saw pavilions, bal-

the moment of death (please refer to the article

conies, buildings, flower fields, rivers, light zones,

on The Meaning of Near-death Experiences in

Issue 21 of the Lake of Lotus).

ternal consciousness and sub-consciousness)

3. Messy Issues that cannot be recalled clearly.

How would the Buddhist point of view

of death. This can be further

comment on these phenomena? Ac-

classified into the following two

cording to the Buddhist teachings, it

was said that rebirth would take place

i. Wholesome Ones arising

passed away, then why would a dying

from: (a) virtuous retribu-

person see the kith and kin who had

tions (please refer to the

passed away long time ago still coming

article on The Meaning of

to fetch for him or her? Why had not the

kith and kin taken rebirths after so many

Issue 21 of the Lake of Lo-

years posthumously? Are the appear-

tus); and (b) the efforts of

ances of these deceased persons merely

ones Dharma practice (the

the illusions of the person

main theme of this article in

who is going to die? Or

were they really true?

ii. Unwholesome Ones arising from: (a) vicious

sons? Are those strange places the

retributions; and (b) the forces of karmic credi-

destinations where they are going to

tors in seeking compensations on ones karmic

be reborn into? Under what

the normal rebirth of a