No human being, animal, plant nor smallest microbe manages to escape death. it's the ultimate end for every now living or that were will live. There is no "cure" and no avoiding it, but from a Buddhist perspective, suffering over this inevitability is something we can reduce and maybe even sidestep. In Death and dying, Horner gives up hope that we can shake off the fear of death and bring a clear mind to the process. Table of Contents: Forward 1? Introduction 5? Who Is Buddhist? 13? The Three Gems 14? The Five Moral Precepts 15? The Four Seals 15? What is Suffering? 17? The Suffering of Suffering 18? The Suffering of Loss 18? All Pervasive Suffering 19? Impermanence 20 What is Death? 23 Who Dies? 24? Is My Hand Alive? 25 Threat to Ego 28? The Four Fears 31 Fear of Losing our Physical Senses 32? Fear of Loss of the Body 33 Fear of Losing Confidence in the Dharma 34 Fear of the Consequences of Karma 34 Loosening Ego's Grip 37 The Effect of Meditation on Ego 41 Vipassana Meditation 42? Samatha Meditation 42 Meditations on Death 45? The Inevitability of Death 46 Uncertainty of the Time of Death 48 Spirituality Can Help at the Time of Death 51 Rebirth 55 When Death is Near 59 Upon Death 65? Funeral Rites and Ceremonies 66? A Verse for Contemplation on the Impermanence of All Life 71 Memorial Service 73 Final Thoughts 75 Glossary 77 About the Author 97 |