Death and Transitions

Death and Transitions

Lama Zopa Rinpoche receives thousands of letters every year from people seeking guidance on a variety of issues. His advice is made available here, so it may be of benefit to others.

This section contains essential advice on impermanence and death, including how to care for others at the time of death and practices for the deceased. Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of the mind that cherishes others over the self—bodhicitta—and how to make the best use of our life and how to prepare for a happy and peaceful death.

It is very good to think every morning, “I will die today,” which helps us to accept death and the impermanence of life. We are all on the same journey toward death and it is vital to realize this. However, Rinpoche shows that even more important than this is achieving liberation from samsara, and most important of all, achieving enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Major transitions in life are a reminder to us of how precious our human lives are, and how important it is for us to practice the Dharma. Rinpoche advises on the impermanent nature of life and the unexpectedness of death, as well as related topics including euthanasia.

Find links to all the main topics on the Online Advice Book home page. You can also click on the links listed on the right, or go to our Teachings menu to refine your search.

Other Resources for the Time of Death

Death and Dying: Heart Practices and Advice
Liberation Card for Dying Person
Practicing the Five Powers Near the Time of Death
Support at the Time of Death

For a list of resources on this topic, go to FPMT Foundation Store's Sickness and Death page.
See also the FPMT Catalogue for a complete list of prayers and practice and advice materials available for download in PDF, ebook, and audio formats.
Read more advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the FPMT website.