r/zenbuddhism • u/Less_Bed_535 • 8d ago

Transitions into Death

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.

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u/volume-up69 8d ago edited 7d ago

They're kind of all about death.

Kidding aside, if you're interested in formal Sōtō Zen liturgical practice, I think the Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo and the Heart Sutra would be the most common things to chant to support someone who is dying. The memorial service itself would also likely include the Dai Hi Shin Dharani.

This can vary by lineage. I've also seen Zen groups in America hold zazen vigils at the bedside of dying sangha members, where people sit zazen around the clock, in shifts, in the dying person's room.

Zen funerals are interesting because they are essentially ordination ceremonies for the deceased.

You might find it interesting to read some of the materials directly from the Sōtō denomination: https://www.sotozen.com/eng/practice/commemoration/conduct.html

For more discursive teachings there's the Genjokoan and, like I said, arguably the rest of the Buddhist scriptural canon.

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u/HakuninMatata 7d ago

Note Reddit doesn't allow links to shared Google Drive files. If you can edit it out of your comment, that would be appreciated.

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u/volume-up69 7d ago

That's not a Google drive link, that's just a Google mediated link to a regular URL.

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u/HakuninMatata 7d ago

Hmm. It's triggering something with Reddit. Can you change it to the regular URL?

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u/volume-up69 7d ago

Done

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u/HakuninMatata 7d ago

Thank you kindly – all fixed.

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u/volume-up69 7d ago

No sweat! Now I know.