'Around dying'
Contemplating and meditating on death is one of the fundamental elements of the Tibetan Buddhist heritage. Traditionally this is an essential part of the philosophical and religious training and spiritual practice.

It is just as when tilling the fields in autumn, the tilling is unsurpassed;
and also like how among footsteps the elephants' prints are the greater:
so among ideas the idea of impermanence is the most excellent.

Mahaparinirvana sutra

The Lamrim Chenmo by Lama Je Tsongkhapa, in which the steps of the path to enlightenment are described, forms the basis of all teachings in Jewel Heart. Meditating on death and the dying process is one of the essential elements of the Lamrim.

Hélène van Hoorn, founder of Jewel Heart, wrote a book on the subject: 'Een kaarsvlam in de tocht. Overdenkingen over dood en vergankelijkheid uit het Tibetaans boeddhisme'. [A Flickering candle flame. Thoughts on death and mortality in Tibetan Buddhism] The book encourages us to find the really essential aspects of life. This will open up the opportunity to reshape our lives into a spiritual path, accepting death as an intrinsic part of that path. At first, meditating on death stimulates us to start following the spiritual path. It then helps to maintain our enthusiasm and to eventually reach our goal of enlightenment.

The Jewel Heart workgroup Around Death and Dying has been active a number of years. The group members have formulated the following goals:
  • To collect information on the theme of death and dying both from a philosophical and a practical angle;
  • to organise theme meetings, public talks and workshops;
  • to maintain external contacts such as the Platform Buddhism & dying of the BUN (Buddhist Union Netherlands);
  • to provide information to volunteers in hospices, for example.

At the present time, the workgroup is working on info material on numerous subjects including practical information.

Moreover, a 'spiritual last will and testament' is being developed in which Jewel Heart members may lay down their wishes concerning:
  • Help with spiritual practice in the event of serious illness or dying;
  • spiritual support around (life-threatening) illness and dying;
  • personal choices with respect to pain-relief;
  • a funeral service with (Buddhist) spiritual aspects;
  • performing rituals and practices (Lama Chöpa, Tara practice, mantra recitation);
  • a proper destination for Buddhist books, texts, statues, thangkas, etc.;
  • donations.
Another task of the workgroup is giving information, for example to voluntary organisations.

A transcript with easy-to-understand texts from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition can be obtained through the workgroup.
 
Nederlands