The nine contemplations on death come from the 11th century Buddhist scholar, Atisha Dipamkara Shrijnana.
When reviewed regularly, they are meant to help us: a) explore the inevitability of death, and b) practice what is important in light of this mortality.
This week, I’m trying an experiment in which I read the 9 contemplations to myself before I sit for ten minutes of quiet reflection.
(“Hey,” I try to persuade myself when the going gets rough, “It sure beats sitting in the charnel grounds.”)
1 Death is inevitable. No one is exempt.
Holding this thought in mind, I abide in the breath.
2 Our life span is ever-decreasing. Each breath brings us closer to death.
Holding this thought in mind, I delve deeply into its truth.
3 Death will indeed come, whether or not we are prepared.
Holding this thought in mind, I enter fully into the body of life.
4 Human life expectancy is uncertain. Death can come at any time.
Holding this thought in mind, I am attentive to each moment.
5 There are many causes of death – even habits, desires and accidents are precipitants.
Holding this thought in mind, I consider the endless possibilities.
6 The human body is fragile and vulnerable. Our life hangs by a breath.
Holding this thought in mind, I attend to my inhale and exhale.
7 At the time of death, material resources are of no use to us.
Holding this thought in mind, I invest wholeheartedly in practice.
8 Our loved ones cannot keep us from death. There is no delaying its advent.
Holding this thought in mind, I exercise non-grasping.
9 Our body cannot help us at the time of death. It too will be lost at that moment.
Holding this thought in mind, I learn to let go.
i am a christian, but am incredibly thankful for this meditation. I have watched loved ones die and know my life will go there too. Thank you and bless.
you can be a Christian and a Buddhist practitioner. there is no contradiction, as Buddhism is a path of practice.
Reading Jodi Picoult Book of Two Ways. Thw characters study death and wirk in hospice. This meditation is mentioned. Beautiful story which incorpirates this. I am a Buddhism studying Jewish poet. If that matters.
I will add this to my daily meditation, thank you.
I am deeply grateful to Atisha for preserving these thoughts for us……..I will review them often.
Thank you. Death scares me. Those times in my life when I was living life fully, it didn’t. Now it does. I am confident these meditations will fulfill their intentions, and help.