My very dear, most precious, most kind and wish-fulfilling one,
As I always mention, we have gone through the death process numberless times. Not only that, we have experienced so much suffering without end and there is no pleasure we haven’t experienced, even though we don’t remember it. Of course we don’t even remember coming from our mother’s womb.

Until we are free from karma and delusion, we will continue to reincarnate in samsara and experience the suffering of samsara, again and again without end, until we actualize the path of seeing—the ultimate wisdom directly seeing phenomena.

So please focus one-pointedly on Amitabha and the mantra with the short prayer. Recite this as much as possible. Keep your mind on Amitabha, and your friends can chant this for you also.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done in this life—your service, everything, every single mantra you have recited, all you have done for sentient beings, the ants, the sloths, and so forth.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have offered to Lama Yeshe and myself. I really, really appreciate it. Thank you.

Please rejoice in all this, in all you have done. There is so much for you to rejoice in.

Please read and become familiar with Practicing the Five Powers Near the Time of Death. This is so, so, so important.

These two recitations should be done for you:

• Golden Light Sutra: five times.
• Chanting the Names of Manjushri (Tib: Jampel Tsenjö): four times, by the Kopan Lama Gyupas.

Recite the Amitabha mantra as much as you can, seeing the deity as one with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and your gurus. Recite the mantra and one line that goes with it.

As much as you can, try not to be attached to anyone or anything, family, friends, possessions etc., and even to your own body, especially your body. Practice this.

With much love and prayer ...