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Dear Dharma Friends,

　

Death is an inevitable phase in everyone’s life. This is also something that the disciples have always requested for guidance from H.E. Garchen Rinpoche. In order for the disciples to understand the process of dying, and to be well-prepared when facing your own death or to help your loved ones, Rinpoche has given specific and detailed instructions.

　

Instructions for Dying contains teachings on death given by Garchen Rinpoche. It is based on the explanations in The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, offering precious instructions on how to help others during the dying process according to the practice of Tibetan Buddhism.

　

This manual is compiled according to the stages of dying:

– Before dying

– During dying

– After death

　

It also offers instructions related to body, speech, and mind, and the stages of dissolution. For the convenience of the readers, most of the images and prayers mentioned are included in the appendix.

　

The purpose of this manual is to help the readers be prepared for death, or to help others make a transition through death with compassion. May this manual benefit all sentient beings in the three worlds.

　

■ H.E. Garchen Rinpoche: A Brief Teaching on Impermanence and Letting Go

　

One day we will die; no one escapes this fate. The Thirty-Seven Bodhisattva Practices says, "Consciousness, the guest, will cast aside the guest-house of the body." When we die, we have to leave everything behind, so there’s no point to being attached to this life.

　

We should ask ourselves, “Does it really matter whether or not I’m prepared for death? Why is it important to receive instructions on dying?” In receiving these instructions, we learn that our consciousness should exit the body through the crown at the time of death.

　 

If we don’t know this, we will be tossed around by afflictions such as hatred, desire, ignorance, and jealousy. In this state of delusion we lack autonomy. We are controlled by mental afflictions that cause consciousness to exit the body through one of the eight impure gates leading to birth in samsaric existence.

　

All happiness and suffering rely on karma, cause and effect. It’s crucial to use the little time we have in this world to make our life meaningful. (Please refer to the manual for the complete teaching.)

　

◆ Download link of Instructions for Dying:

http://bit.ly/2AQyazx

　

◆ Download link of the Chinese text:

http://bit.ly/2TQmF2b

　

May all benefit.

　

Garchen Dharma Institute, Taiwan

www.garchen.tw