Do Not Be Afraid of Death

[Shi Da Dao]

The Buddha was not afraid of dying – and neither was Master Xu Yun (1840-1959) - bot both treated the ‘new’ moment with equanimity. This is the essence of the Buddha’s Dharma – do not be afraid of ‘change’. This is achieved by developing ‘non-attachment’ in the face of all sensory stimulus – which includes not only the ‘outer’ world – but also the ‘inner’ world! Of course, we must first ‘still’ the mind and then remove the habitual barriers that prevent this understanding from ‘expanding’ and encompassing the physical environment (without limit). The communing with a profound and deep ‘emptiness’ cultivates wisdom, loving kindness and universal compassion – after this – nature will take its course. Remember that science teaches that ‘genetics’ can take their toll at any moment regardless of our personal fitness. This is why we must make every effort ‘here and now’ and not wait for some distant time and place to make this great reckoning with reality! We must be neither attached to the void nor hindered by phenomena! Then, as the Abhidhamma advises, the concept of ‘rebirth’ is merely the transition of one moment to the next. When we are ‘alive’ - when the moment changes – our physical body (and existence) stays in place between transitions. When we die, however, the physical body (and existence) is here during one moment – but in the next moment - the physical body (and existence) falls away and is no longer present or apparent. This is why there is no need for fear.