Preparing for death

One of a series of four talks given during an on-line retreat given at Sravasti Abbey from May 1 to May 2, 2021. A PDF document, Preparing for Death and Helping the Dying, by Venerable Sangye Khadro is referred to in the talk.

  • Questions and answers
    • How can you deal with regret for past actions after someone dies?
    • Why don’t we remember past lives?
    • How can death not be terrifying?
    • Is reciting the “King of Prayers” beneficial for non-Buddhists?
  • The four tasks of living and dying
  • How to cultivate a spiritual practice to prepare for death
  • The ideal qualities of a patient and nurse
  • Questions and answers
    • How does our mindstream find us at rebirth?
    • Why is the mindstream not considered a soul?

Venerable Sangye Khadro

California-born, Venerable Sangye Khadro ordained as a Buddhist nun at Kopan Monastery in 1974 and is a longtime friend and colleague of Abbey founder Venerable Thubten Chodron. She took bhikshuni (full) ordination in 1988. While studying at Nalanda Monastery in France in the 1980s, she helped to start the Dorje Pamo Nunnery, along with Venerable Chodron. Venerable Sangye Khadro has studied with many Buddhist masters including Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, and Khensur Jampa Tegchok. At her teachers’ request, she began teaching in 1980 and has since taught in countries around the world, occasionally taking time off for personal retreats. She served as resident teacher in Buddha House, Australia, Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore, and the FPMT centre in Denmark. From 2008-2015, she followed the Masters Program at the Lama Tsong Khapa Institute in Italy. Venerable has authored a number books found here, including the best-selling How to Meditate. She has taught at Sravasti Abbey since 2017 and is now a full-time resident.

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