The show of impermanence is evident everywhere. Among other
things, our dwelling place is a prime example. What kind of house did we live
in when we were little? What was the situation when we were in school? How
about now? What is it going to be in the future? By examining impermanence from
different angles, its significance will become apparent to us.
There was a little monk called Ikkyu who once broke his teacher’s
favorite teacup. Knowing he was in big trouble, Ikkyu dared not mention the
accident outright. After his master’s return, he asked purposely: “Master, is
there anything that will stay forever once it has come into existence?”
The master replied: “Everything that is born must die. How could
anything be spared from death?”
Ikkyu then reached around his back and showed the shattered pieces
of the cup, saying: “Then this means your favorite cup has died.” The master,
with his words still ringing in the air, found it hard to reprimand him.
Our life is no exception; to be born and to live forever is never
possible, and such is the inescapable fate for us all.
Not only will we certainly die,
but also we will never be certain when, where, or how our death will arrive. It’s anybody’s guess. “The Sutra of Bodhisattva
Ksitigarbha’s Fundamental Vows” says: “The Escort of
the Underworld comes unexpectedly.” The Lord of Death never cares to make an
appointment; more often than not, Death drops in without warning and takes away
our life force.
To the ears of a non-Dharma person, these statements may seem
exaggerated: “Wait a minute, I am in good health now, how can I die at any
moment?”
However, a sudden death is not improbable if we contemplate a
scenario like an earthquake. Not too long ago a practitioner’s retreat hut
caught fire suddenly without obvious reason. By the time people noticed it, she
had long died in the hut. To her, the thought that “today is the day I stop
living” definitely had not occurred to her on that day.
A person who was dubious about the Dharma once said to me: “If
only we could know how many more years we’ve got left, we would be able to make
preparations in advance. Wouldn’t it be nice! Otherwise, we don’t have a clue
when we’ll expire. I’m really terrified just thinking about it!”
Many people are concerned only with immediate daily issues. They
hardly ever give any thought to the matter of what to do when dying and what
happens after dying. Even at the mere mention of this subject, they would
rather cast it aside. How feeble-hearted are they! Really, we must confront
death squarely, rather than dodging it. While we are living a happy and
carefree life, beware that the horror of death may strike at any moment. While
we strive for the comfort of a present life that lasts only a few decades, we
should also pave the right path for future lives that last for millennia.
Source : www.khenposodargye.org (Khenpo Sodargye Rinpoche)
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