An interesting passage from "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying"

by loqojo on 2009-02-06 00:02:02

There is a passage in the book "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" about a young doctor's first day at a large hospital in London where she encountered a series of patient deaths. She deeply felt that the training she received in medical school was unable to prepare her for such a scene, and she sorrowfully asked the author how she could do better. She mentioned one elderly man who, before dying, held her hand and asked: "Do you think God will forgive my sins?" The doctor was left speechless. Sogyal Rinpoche taught her very practical methods to face patients nearing death, including a practice called "tonglen" or "self-other exchange." The author said that if this is too difficult, the least that can be done is to sit by the bedside of a dying patient and listen to their stories. Facing death is one of the most special moments in life, and through narrating their own stories, patients can gain unexpected wisdom and create a framework for their lives.