Study/Reading Workshop Questions on Sogyal Rinpoche, Tibetan Book 0f Living and Dying

Chapter Two: Impermanence:

1. "To practice death is to practice freedom. A [person] who has learned to die has unlearned how to live." Montaigne 15 Discuss the meaning of this quotation to you and its significance to Rinpoche.

2. Discuss Rinpocheπs concern with the issue of identity: "who we are": ... assume identity (see page 16)

3. "Our lives seem to live us, to possess their own bizarre momentum, to carry us away." Discuss.

4. "Modern society seems a celebration of all things that lead us away from truth." (20) Consider.

5. "Perhaps it is only those who understand just how fragile life is who know how precious it is." (23) Comment.

6. "Key to finding happy balance in modern lives is simplicity." (23) Discuss.

7. "Importance/implications facing impermanence" (25 and following) Consider.

Chapter 3: Reflection and Change

1. Possible transformation through serious illness (30 and following). Consider.

2, What do you make of the ≥Autobiography in 5 chapters ≥ offered on pages 31-32. Does it resemble your life or that of anyone you know?

3. Purpose of reflecting on death (30-33) and grasping (33-34). Discuss

4. Change and working with change (33) Consider.

5. "So each time the losses and deceptions of life teach us about impermanence they bring us closer to the truth" (36) Discuss.

6. Difficulties and obstacles (36) Consider

7. What is the significance of the Gesar/Trotung Story on page 36?

8. Learning How to be at home with change -- how to make impermanence our friend (37) Is this possible?

9. Wave and Sea (You will hear this story in several places this semester. Is it convincing?)

Ch. 11

1. Consider Rinpocheπs thoughts on Palliative Care: "Physical suffering should be kept to a minimum; there is enough suffering in death already." (180)

2. Discuss: Unconditional Love (175) "First, look at the dying person in front of you and think of that person as just like you, with the same needs, the same fundamental desire to be happy and avoid suffering, the same loneliness, the same fear of the unknown, the same secret areas of sadness, the same half-acknowledged feelings of helplessness." (175)

3. Explore: Telling the Truth (177) "People often ask me: 'Should people be told they are dying?' And I always reply: 'Yes, as quietly, as kindly, as sensitively, and as skillfully as possible."

4. Discuss: Fears About Dying (179) "Being aware of your own fears about dying will help you immeasurably to be aware of the fears of the dying person." (180)

5. Consider: Unfinished Business (181) "The masters tell us that we should die peacefully, 'without grasping, yearning and attachment.' This cannot fully happen if the unfinished business of a life-time as far as possible, is not cleared." (181) "It is my belief, and has been my experience, that it is never too late; even after enormous pain and abuse, people can find a way to forgive each other. The moment of death has a grandeur, solemnity, and finality that can make people reexamine all their attitudes, and be more open and ready to forgive, when before they could not bear to. Even at the very end of a life, the mistakes of a life can be undone."

6. Explore: Quiet: "allow the dying person to die in silence and serenity." (186)

7, Practice Compassion __ How can one best do this?

Ch. 13 Spiritual Help for the Dying

1. "Giving hope and finding forgiveness." (212). Consider.