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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 555
attachment and do the following positive things: that it was thought she had lost her mind completely. The
Buddha told her that he could bring the child back if Kisa
1. Sincerely wish for the quick and smooth transition were to bring him a mustard seed from a home where
of the deceased to a favorable destination. no one had died. Kisa desperately traveled from house
2. Assure the deceased that the survivors are willing to house in search of the seed. Kisa was finally struck by
to let the deceased move on and the deceased the realization that there is no house free from mortality,
should similarly not be attached to the survivors that death is our common condition and the natural and
and other possessions. inevitable consequence to birth.
3. Forgive perceived misdeeds of the deceased and ask
for mutual forgiveness. With the first turning of the wheel, Buddha encouraged
4. Perform meritorious deeds, particularly mettā (for us to know suffering and its causes, so we can recognize
all beings) and vipassanā meditations and dedicate our predicament and thus be moved to engage the path
the merits to the deceased. to liberation and enlightenment. While the death of
5. Make an asseveration of truth for the highest good loved ones can be very painful, familiarity with death
of the deceased as a natural consequence of life can help bring one’s life
more purpose and meaning and lessen the blow of loss.
Min Wei: The fact that human beings are affected by
the coronavirus pandemic cannot be denied. We are all The grieving individuals may be given practices they
worried about our loved ones and the future, of both can engage in that will be helpful for themselves and
the global economy and our own individual homes. As their loved ones. Reciting prayers or mantras such as
human beings, we experience the same notion of fears, Oṃ Maṇi Padme Hūṃ or the 100-sylable Mantra of
hopes, uncertainties, and it is definite that no one can Vajrasattva or engaging in community service for the
escape from it. loved one’s fortunate rebirth can provide peace of mind.
Understanding and engaging in actions on behalf of the
It means that we are not alone at this juncture. deceased may bring loved ones much solace.
We should be realistic and accept what we have
Some scientists believed that nature has turned
encountered at this critical moment. The Buddhist
against us and is locking down the world through
teachings always remind us that while life is uncertain,
the pandemic because man has devastated
death is a reality. When we accept that death is a natural
nature. How can Buddhism help prevent further
phenomenon, we will be able to face it with calmness,
degradation of the environment?
courage, and confidence when it eventually happens.

When someone in the family has just died from the Aggacitta: As can be seen from the two suttas referred
virus, we can share with our living relatives that life to earlier (AN 4.70 & 3.56), moral laxity can lead to
is impermanent. Sooner or later all of us will also disastrous consequences on the environment and
experience death. It is just that this particular family humankind. The devastation to nature, the environment
member dies before us. Therefore, instead of being and fellow humans is rooted in the three poisons of
attached to the deceased, we should let him/her go greed, hate, and delusion. Unless these are significantly
with our blessings and pray for a good rebirth. Out of reduced through education, restraint, and spiritual
compassion and with a mind of Bodhicitta, we should cultivation, the fate of humankind and our planet is
reflect on death as a release from suffering in saṃsāra. sealed. But this fundamental premise of Buddhism
At the same time, we make aspirations for the deceased has to be disseminated without the stigma of religious
to meet with good conditions in the next life. doctrine, given the partisan faith of religious leaders
and adherents.
Geshe Dadul: I am reminded of the story of Kisa Gotami
who had lost her only child and was bereft and desperate Min Wei: This pandemic should be a wake-up call
for her child’s life to be restored. She was so distraught that our impact on the environment is not just about