B DTH SHANXI TQD PIX

SHANXI STN 2011
http://www.chinasmack.com/2011/pictures/old-man-found-dead-on-train-station-bench-monk-prays-for-him.html

monk is the epitome of serenity and I would be glad for him to hold my hand during this transition.

'If this is life, then do not fear death'








THING QUANG DUC BRNING MNK 1963

David Halberstam wrote:

I was to see that sight again, but once was enough. Flames were coming from a human being; his body was slowly withering and shriveling up, his head blackening and charring. In the air was the smell of burning human flesh; human beings burn surprisingly quickly. Behind me I could hear the sobbing of the Vietnamese who were now gathering. I was too shocked to cry, too confused to take notes or ask questions, too bewildered to even think … As he burned he never moved a muscle, never uttered a sound, his outward composure in sharp contrast to the wailing people around him.

"Good health is simply the slowest way a human being can die." - author unknown

Living in the Light of Death ...Larry Rosenberg

From chapter 3:

1. Everyone must die...

2. The remainder of our life span is decreasing continually.

3. Death will come regardless of whether or not we have made time to practice the dharma.

4. Human life expectancy is uncertain.

5. There are many causes of death.

6. The human Body is very fragile.

7. Our wealth cannot help us.

8. Our loved ones cannot help.

9. Our body cannot help.

A Buddhist Prayer for the Dead and Dying Oh Buddhas and Bodhisattvas abiding in all directions, Endowed with great compassion, Endowed with foreknowledge, Endowed with divine eye, Endowed with love, Affording protection to sentient beings, Please come forth through the power of your great compassion, Please accept these offerings, both actually presented and mentally created. Oh Compassionate Ones, you who possess The wisdom of understanding, The love of compassion, The power of doing divine deeds, And of protecting in incomprehensible measure, [...................................] is passing from this world to the next, [He/she] is taking a great leap, The light of this world has faded for [him/her], [He/she] has entered solitude with their karmic forces, [He/she] has gone into a vast silence, [He/she] is borne away by the great ocean of birth and death ..… Oh Compassionate Ones, protect [......................] who is defenceless. Be to [him/her] like a mother and father. Oh Compassionate Ones, let not the force of your compassion be weak, but aid them. Let [...........................] not go into the miserable states of existence. Forget not your ancient vows.