..續本文上一頁e with its nature, but our heart sinks because of its own stupidity. Do you approve of that

　　 There”s nothing good about this fall. The heart goes straight down into the deep under the compulsion of delusion; and that surely isn”t good. In fact, it”s disastrously bad and unwished for. It”s for this reason that we have to make sure that we steadily look for a way out.

　　Investigate to see the truth, and especially the truth of the painful and unpleasant feelings of the body and heart. This is of great importance. The heart goes in and seizes hold so much that it becomes a mental disease on top of everything else. Realize that the five conditions are not ”me”: Body, feelings, memory or perception, mental formations, and consciousness are particular conditions interdependent within the elements and aggregates. The heart is something apart. By successfully analysing and dissecting, using your mindfulness and wisdom, you”ll reach safety from all danger.

　　Death — just let it go along its way. All the things of this world die, they have death built-in. How can you expect them to be constant and enduring — when the time comes for them to die, they have to die. Nothing can constrain or contradict this. Even arahants have to die; for them however, there is the difference that they pass away without concern and worry. As for us, we”re worried even before we come to die — perturbed and possessive. On death, the worry and possessiveness intensify so that they pile up into a threat bigger than a mountain. Be careful not to let that happen to you. Make sure you get beyond such anxieties.

　　As I”m always saying, prepare and establish yourself with sufficient qualities — ”kusalaa dhammaa”11 (meaning) ”enough skill and intelligence”. This is our ”kusalaa”.

　　"Kusalaa dhammaa akusalaa dhammaa... "

　　Wherever there”s akusalaa — unskillfulness or stupidity — drive it out with kusalaa skillfullness, which is your own mindfulness and wisdom.

　　This is what is called ”chanting kusalaa for oneself”, and it”s something you have to do for yourself. Depending on others to track down monks to chant... "kusalaa dhammaa"... after your death causes so much fuss and bother. Something we don”t want.

　　"Kusalaa dhammaa:" prepare yourself enough skillfullness, complete and all encompassing, and there will be no need for anything else. You”ll die without turmoil and confusion like a ”sugato”.

　　So then, that”s all for now.

　　Notes

　　1. arom (Thai). See Glossary.

　　2. "Atta hi attano natho, kohi natho paro siya

　　" (Dhp. verse 160)

　　"Self is the protector of self, for who else could (one”s) protector be

　　"

　　3. precepts. See Glossary and Appendix.

　　4. pari-kamma.

　　5. samadhi: khanika samadhi; upacara samadhi; appana samadhi. See Glossary.

　　6. sati-panyaa.

　　7. kilesa.

　　8. Remembrance of past lives, knowledge of the decease and rebirth of beings, and knowledge of the extinction of all the cankers.

　　9. vedanaa.

　　10. va.t.ta cakka.

　　11. The prescribed chant at any Thai cremation ceremony.

《To the Last Breath - 1· Ready to Go : Ready to Die》全文閱讀結束。