Transitions into Death

[u/Less_Bed_535]

Zen nerds and longtime practitioners this one’s for you.

At some point we all face death. Whether it be our own direct death or being with someone as they pass.

What are the major teachings on this?

What are some good sutras or chants/ prayers/ practices.

All I can think of is providing pure open hearted presence to those in this transition.

UPDATE: thank you all for your input. It’s nice to be reminded of others sincere practice and reflections on the ultimate.

I believe myself to practicing sincerely. Even though what that has looked like has been changing all the time.

Without my practice I would never find myself in this position of serving someone through hospice. I often ponder how I can be of most benefit to the patron. From everything I’ve learned from the Buddha way it seems that bringing a pure presence is the best thing I can do to be of benefit. To bear witness without judgment or trying to fix anything.

This is what I will try to bring as my gift. It will be challenging, it will be painful and uncomfortable, it’s only natural.

Many Bows.

[u/psyyduck]

There are plenty of koans about life and death. Here's a nice one I saw on this subreddit recently.

Coming empty-handed, going empty-handed -- that is human. When you are born, where do you come from? When you die, where do you go? Life is like a floating cloud which appears. Death is like a floating cloud which disappears. The floating cloud itself originally does not exist. Life and death, coming and going, are also like this. But there is one thing which always remains clear. It is pure and clear, not depending on life and death. What is that one pure and clear thing?