Buddhism is known for its meditation on death. What is the step-by-step practice?
In general, Buddhist meditation on death is encapsulated in this one line:
“This and that are born, yet, all these are impermanent and subject to death.”
The nine points below are not something new. Like many of the teachings here, they are already found in hundreds of websites online. It is a part of training the mind teachings (Tib.: Lo-jong).
The common problem that we want to address here is that, we need to be patient and diligent. Our Samsaric thinking has this tendency of getting bored easily. Thus, we are inclined to skim through what we have seen already.
Ideally, we need to repeat meditating on these 9 points across a few years. We gently train our mind to review and restudy these points.
The goal: more interest and urgency in practicing the “pure” Dharma, that is, the Dharma that will tame one’s negative emotions, self-grasping and pride
1. Death is certain.
a) No one has escaped death
b) I am slowly, moment by moment, nearing death.
c) Death is certain whether we practice the Dharma or not.
- Conclusion: I must give time to the Dharma.
2. The time of my death is uncertain.
a) The lifespan of human beings are not fixed. Young die earlier than the old. Healthy people can die earlier than sick people. Good people can die earlier than evil people.
b) We are surrounded by more conditions that suppress life than support it.
c) The body is extremely fragile.
- Conclusion: I must practice Dharma now.
3. Except for the Dharma, nothing can help me at the time of dying.
a) Money and possessions are useless.
b) Friends and family are useless.
c) Even our body is useless at the time of death.
- Conclusion: We need to practice the Dharma purely. This means to make sure that the Dharma penetrates our mind.