Description
Book SynopsisDisease and death are undeniably integral parts of human life. Yet when they manifest we are easily caught unprepared. To prepare for these, we need to learn how to skilfully face illness and passing away. A source of practical wisdom can be found in the early discourses that record the teachings given by the Buddha and his disciples.The chief aim of this book is to provide a collection of passages taken from the Buddha's early discourses that provide guidance for facing disease and death. The present anthology focuses on the theme of compassion, and is concerned with anukampa: compassion as the underlying motivation in altruistic action. The book combines translations of Buddhist Sanskrit discourse from the Chinese original, with introductions that explain the basic message, clarify terminology and ideas contained in the discourse, and draw out some of their practical implications.
Table of ContentsIntroduction1 The Buddha as a Physician2 Sick Body and Healthy Mind3 The Arrow of Pain4 Qualities of a Patient and a Nurse5 The Healing Potential of the Awakening Factors6 Mindful Pain Reduction7 Enduring Pain with Mindfulness8 Insight Instead of Concentration9 Mindfulness When Sick10 Liberating Teachings by the Patient11 A Curative Meditation Programme12 Fearlessly Facing Disease13 Deathbed Instructions14 Dying and the Divine Abodes15 Detachment and Terminal Disease16 Buddhist Hospice17 The Last Words of an Accomplished Lay Disciple18 Mindfully Facing the Time of Death19 The Liberating Potential of Death20 The Power of Insight at the Time of Dying21 The Inevitability of Death22 Mindful Freedom from Grief23 The Buddha's Decease24 Recollection of DeathConclusion and Meditation InstructionsAppendixReferencesList of AbbreviationsSubject IndexIndex Locorum
