Chapter Nine : Sending on Spirits in Transition 2

The Founding Master said,
“No matter who is born into this world, his moment of death will inevitably come. Thus, I will explain for you today how to behave like someone close to the person when sending on the spirit at the time of a person’s entering nirvana, as well as how the person whose spirit is about to depart should prepare for death. Listen closely to these instructions! With a person who dies unexpectedly due to sudden illness or some sort of accident, or is not amenable to guidance because he lacks faith, it will be difficult to apply all my dharmas. However, with a person who does not die suddenly and who has even a slight amount of faith, application of these instructions will make his final state of mind stronger and will be of great assistance in delivering his spirit. As a close acquaintance of a terminal patient, you must do the following.
First, occasionally burn incense in the patient’s room and keep the room clean, for, if the room is messy, the patient’s spirit will not be clear.
Second, always keep the premises quiet for the patient, for, if the premises are noisy, the patient’s spirit cannot focus.
Third, tell him many stories of virtuous people, and if he performed good deeds in his life, console his mind by complimenting his actions. Those wholesome thoughts will then become imprinted on the patient’s spirit, readily turning them into the basic habits in his next life.
Fourth, do not speak of unwholesome or treacherous things in front of the patient, and forbid anyone from saying things that are lewd or debauched; for those unwholesome images will also become imprinted on the patient’s spirit, readily turning them into the basic habits of his next life.
Fifth, do not express any worries or act dejected about family property, family members, and the like; for that would provoke desire and attachment in the patient, thereby preventing his spirit from ever leaving that place; and should he finds no opportunity of being reborn into a human destiny at that site, he would easily fall into unwholesome destinies.
Sixth, recite the Buddha’s name, read scriptures, and offer dharma talks to the patient, as is appropriate, or if those sounds bother him, then minister to him with meditation. The patient’s spirit then will come to rely on such support and will readily attain calmness.
Seventh, when the patient is about to enter nirvana and gathers his last breath, never make a racket by crying, shaking his body, or calling out his name, and such. That would only confound the dying person’s spirit and would be of no benefit to him. If your sadness is uncontrollable because of your affection for that person, then wait to express it until several hours after the person has passed away.”

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