Translator's Preface _Geoffrey Hopkins


0.
Tibetan poetry used for meditation on death
1.
Reflections on Death
2.
Freedom from fear
3.
Preparation for death
4.
Overcoming the obstacle of death
5.
Achievement of good conditions for death

6.
Meditation in the Process of Death
7.
The internal structure of death
8.
The clear light of death
9.
How to behave in the middle of nowhere?
10.
Achieving a good reincarnation


Translator's Note _ Jongbok Lee
Appendix _ Key points of each year

The Dalai Lama's Map of Death
Prepare for death with a merciful life
On how to cross death without fear

“With compassion for all living beings, take refuge in the religion you most respect.

Remember the nature of your present life, which gives you both the need and the freedom to pursue spiritual practice.

“Reflect on impermanence and reflect again.”

April is often called the month of death.
Even looking at our social context, there are many people to remember in April.
As well-dying becomes a trend, the number of people preparing for a 'dignified death' is also increasing.
But before that, how much practice do we have in facing death? And how can we practice it?

Death, freedom from its fear
In Tibet, at the time of death, the Book of the Dead is read in a whisper at the bedside to guide the deceased on their way out of the middle path and towards enlightenment.
There is also a poem that many Tibetans use every day to meditate on death.
This is the "Prayer for liberation from the dangerous predicament of the Middle Path, Hero Freed from Fear" written by the first Panchen Lama.
Just as a guide is needed to escape from a fearful situation, one can follow the advice of this poem to escape the fear of the visions that will arise at the moment of death and while in the intermediate state (p. 73).
"The Dalai Lama on Death" is a commentary on the seventeen stanzas of this poem, and a book containing the Dalai Lama's insights on death in general.
This book shines brightest not only because it portrays the unknown realm of death in a sensory and visual way, but also because it makes readers let go of their fears and think about how to prepare for death.


The Dalai Lama's "Death Studies"
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the current one, turned 84 in 2019.
With this, he enjoys the longest lifespan among all the Dalai Lamas.
He meditates and prays every day without fail, and he stays busy by reading, exercising, and engaging in outdoor activities.
But we do not forget the absolute truth of death (page 113).
He usually thinks about impermanence, suffering, emptiness, and non-self.
Additionally, as part of daily ritual practice, we meditate on the stages of death (p. 204).
After explaining the eight stages of death step by step, the Dalai Lama persuasively explains what processes we go through in the 'intermediate path' and 'reincarnation' stages between this life and the next life, and what mindset will be helpful at those times (page 20).
Through this, readers can reflect on death and realize anew what is truly important in their lives.
The subtitle of “Dalai Lama Talks About Death” is “On Death, and Living with ‘Powerful Goodness’.”
Dying well is ultimately inevitably parallel to living well (p. 262).
So if we can face death, our perspective on life will also change.
And living well naturally leads to how we practice love, compassion, and goodness in this life.

Now, as if looking at a map to check where to go in advance, let us fearlessly explore the world of death under the guidance of the Dalai Lama.