Death is definite but time is uncertain

17 Middle-Length Lamrim

Part of a series of weekly teachings from Lama Tsongkhapa's Middle-Length Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment.

  • How to work with unhealthy regret at the time of death and during life
  • Three root contemplations and decisions
  • Three reasons for each root contemplations
  • It is certain we will die
  • Death would come eventually
  • Life span is decreasing and cannot be extended
  • Die without having time to practice
  • I need to practice the dharma
  • It is uncertain when we will die
  • Death happens at different ages and circumstances
  • Causes of death are many and causes of life are few
  • Body is vulnerable
  • I need to practice the dharma now

Refer to the handout for the teaching: 17 Middle Length Lamrim

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.

More on this topic