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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 39

thought, though we may differ in exactly what ‘life as express fear of the afterlife? I often feel helpless even as
a gift’ means for each one of us. I meant to use that I’m a hopeful Christian. Any wisdom that you would like
point of agreement as a starter and as an anchor for to share?
appreciating life in its wholeness, with death being
an inalienable part of it, and see death as an equal Namgyal: If there is an afterlife, that would be a
player and contributor to the preciousness, beauty, continuation of oneself. That means one’s own core self
and mystery of life. Therefore, indeed, death, as it will continue into the next one and one’s deeds done
naturally occurs, is a gift, which together with life well or ill will bear fruit. So, if one has cultivated the
makes this thing called existence whole, complete and inner qualities of compassion and insight in this life
meaningful. In fact, it is due to the fact of its imminent by training in positive thinking and properly relating
end in the form of death that life receives much of to others, then one would carry those qualities and
its sensibility, value, and purpose. In addition, death, potentials into the next. In that way, one can be assured
perhaps ironically, represents renewal, regeneration, that the skills and perspectives thereby developed
and continuity so much so that contemplating it in will be available to draw from and help take every
the proper light imbues us with the transformative situation, including death itself, in stride. So the sure
qualities of understanding, acceptance, tolerance, hope, way to address fear of the afterlife is to live the present
responsibility, and generosity. In one of the sutras, life compassionately and wisely which, by the way,
Buddha extols meditation on death as the supreme also helps us have a happy and meaningful life in the
among meditations. present. Buddha teaches this in the Kalama Sutta.

Yancy: You also said earlier that we fear death because Yancy: What would you say is the uppermost crisis that
of our total ignorance and uncertainty regarding what we are facing as a human species?
follows in its aftermath. You know, in the Apology,
Socrates says that death involves either being in an Namgyal: We focus and dwell on our differences
eternal sleep-like state or the transmigration of the rather than the shared commonalities and oneness of
soul to another place. As a Tibetan Buddhist, is there humanity, thereby growing ever more distant from one
anything after death? Please explain. another in our sensibilities and sensitivities. This is
the uppermost crisis we face and will continue to face
Namgyal: In the Buddhist tradition, we believe in in the coming years and decades if the present trend
the continuity of subtle mind and subtle body into the of indifference and otherness continues. This is poised
next life, and the next after that, and so on without end. to grow into an even graver and more serious crisis
This subtle mind-body serves as the basis from which because advanced technology and innovation force us
the gross mind-body develops and to which it reverts into unprecedented spatial and temporal proximity,
at the time of each death. For us ordinary beings, this making us ever more vulnerable to greater harm and
way of transitioning into a new life happens, not by division. If only we could be wiser, more sensible, and
choice but under the influence of our past virtuous as closer to reality, this same advancement in the fields of
well as non-virtuous actions, all of which are induced technology and innovation has the potential to become
by afflictions. This includes the possibility of being born a precious resource for promoting greater prosperity
into many forms of life, from that of very depraved to and stronger bonds among all humankind as well as
extremely well-off ones. However, spiritually advanced placing us in a better position to solve our pressing
practitioners, i.e. those who have gained at least some common problems such as climate change.
control over the afflictions, could choose to come
back in a new life not driven by afflictions, but instead Yancy: For you, how should we relate to the earth? I
through the force of their compassion. imagine that it is similar to relating to death in terms of
needing to move beyond thinking of our selfish desires.
Yancy: What might we tell our children when they