Thubten Zopa Rinpoche about Death and Dying
Thubten Zopa Rinpoche often reminded us that our time on Earth is limited and we do not know when our life will end, so we should not delay in engaging in Dharma practice.
Although the inevitability of death is certain, the exact timing of it is unknown. We have been incredibly blessed to still be alive today, especially when so many people passed away last night.
While we may not know when our time will come, we can take comfort in the fact that it could be today or, at most, tomorrow. With this in mind, we can make the most of each moment and practice Dharma.
Rinpoche has made it clear that when we pass away, nothing can be of assistance to us other than our Dharma practice.
Our family, friends, money, and possessions are all unable to accompany us, not even our beloved physical form.
We can’t take anything with us, not even a single atom. The only thing that can help us is our dedication to Dharma.
Recognizing the inevitability of death and the transitory nature of life should push us to act in the present moment.
There is no time to lose, and we should not be motivated by fear of dying but rather by the urge to practice Dharma without hesitation and not wait until we are elderly.
