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Quote by Sogyal Rinpoche

“At every moment in our lives we need compassion, but what more urgent moment could there be than when we are dying? What more wonderful and consoling gift could you give to dying people than the knowledge that they are being prayed for, and that you are taking on their suffering and purifying their negative karma through your practice for them?”

Quote by Sogyal Rinpoche

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Sogyal Rinpoche

Sogyal Rinpoche, born in 1947, is a renowned Tibetan Buddhist Lama. He is known for his profound insights into the modern world and his efforts in popularizing Tibetan Buddhism. more

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“Even if they don't know that you are practicing for them, you are helping them and in turn they are helping you. They are actively helping you to develop your compassion, and so to purify and heal yourself. For me, all dying people are teachers, giving to all those who help them a chance to transform themselves through developing their compassion.”

People Ifs Knows Giving Helping Death Turns Chance Compassion Teacher Dying Heal Developing

Author:Sogyal Rinpoche

“I remember how people would often come to see my master Jamyang Khyentse simply to ask for his guidance for the moment of death. He was so loved and revered throughout Tibet, especially in the eastern province of Kham, that some would travel for months on end to meet him and get his blessing just once before they died. All my masters would give this as their advice, for this is the essence of what is needed as you come to die: "Be free of attachment and aversion. Keep your mind pure. And unite your mind with Buddha."”

People Giving Mind Ends Moments Remember Death Dies Asks Advice Dying Masters Months Needed Blessing Pure Essence Died Guidance Attachment Eastern Provinces Aversion Tibet

Author:Sogyal Rinpoche

“There would be no chance at all of getting to know death if it happened only once. But fortunately, life is nothing but a continuing dance of birth and death, a dance of change. Every time I hear the rush of a mountain stream, or the waves crashing on the shore, or my own heartbeat, I hear the sound of impermanence. These changes, these small deaths, are our living links with death. They are death's pulses, death's heartbeat, prompting us to let go of all the things we cling to.”

“If all we know of mind is the aspect of mind that dissolves when we die, we will be left with no idea of what continues, no knowledge of the new dimension of the deeper reality of the nature of mind. So it is vital for us all to familiarize ourselves with the nature of mind while we are still alive. Only then will we be prepared for the time when it reveals itself spontaneously and powerfully at the moment of death; be able to recognize it "as naturally," the teachings say, "as a child running into its mother's lap"; and by remaining in that state, finally be liberated.”

Ifs Knows Mind Children Stills Ideas States Moments Reality Running Able Death Mother Dies Left Alive Teaching Dying Aspect Prepared Deeper No Idea Dimensions Be Prepared Lap Liberated

Author:Sogyal Rinpoche

“For most of us, karma and negative emotions obscure the ability to see our own intrinsic nature, and the nature of reality. As a result we clutch on to happiness and suffering as real, and in our unskillful and ignorant actions go on sowing the seeds of our next birth. Our actions keep us bound to the continuous cycle of worldly existence, to the endless round of birth and death. So everything is at risk in how we live now at this very moment: How we live now can cost us our entire future.”

“This is the real and urgent reason why we must prepare now to meet death wisely, to transform our karmic future, and to avoid the tragedy of falling into delusion again and again and repeating the painful round of birth and death. This life is the only time and place we can prepare in, and we can only truly prepare through spiritual practice: This is the inescapable message of the natural bardo of this life.”

“At the moment of death, there are two things that count: whatever we have done in our lives, and what state of mind we are in at that very moment. Even if we have accumulated a lot of negative karma, if we are able to make a real change of heart at the moment of death, it can decisively influence our future, and transform our karma, for the moment of death is an exceptionally powerful opportunity to purify karma.”

“Ask yourself these two questions: Do I remember at every moment that I am dying, and that everyone and everything else is, and so treat all beings at all times with compassion? Has my understanding of death and impermanence become so keen and so urgent that I am devoting every second to the pursuit of enlightenment? If you can answer "yes" to both of these, then you really understand impermanence.”

Ifs Two Moments Remember Death Asks Understanding Answers Compassion Dying Enlightenment Treats Pursuit All Time Urgent Impermanence Every Second

Author:Sogyal Rinpoche

“No talking. Talking doesn't play football, talking isn't going to make you practice harder or play harder.”

Play Talking Practice Football Harder Inspirational Football Pro Football

Author:Ken Simonton

“There is no fundamental difference between the preparation for death and the practice of dying, and spiritual practice leading to enlightenment.”

Spiritual Differences Practice Dying Enlightenment Fundamentals Preparation Death And Dying Spiritual Practice Preparation For Death

Author:Stanislav Grof