Preparing for Death and Helping the Dying by Ven Sangye Khadro

Preparing for Death and Helping the Dying by Ven Sangye Khadro is a little book talking about the Buddhist perspective of death.


This book makes us face the reality of death. It is true that all of us know that we will die one day. However, not many of us are prepared for death.

A very clear example is the fact that not all of us think about leaving a will to distribute our earthly wealth. Hardly any of us think about cremation or burial to depose of our remains.

Most of us are too attached to our earthly belongings. We do not want to die, and we are not prepared for death regardless of our age.

Preparing for Death and Helping the Dying by Ven Sangye Khadro informs us of the various stages of dying.

According to the Buddhist perspective, there are a total of eight stages of dying.

The first 4 stages of dying belong to the physical stage. The last 4 stages of dying are the spiritual stage.

The first stage of dying is the weakening of the body. The body becomes weaker and thinner. This stage corresponds to the dissolve of Earth element.

The second stage is the drying up of body’s fluid. That is the stage of dissolving Water element.

The third stage is the body’s heat dissolves. This takes place at the same time as the decline of digestive power in the body. This stage corresponds to the dissolve of Fire Element.

The last physical stage is that breathing ceases. This corresponds to the dissolve of Wind Element. When the dying reaches this stage, he satisfies the medical definition of death.

However, from the Buddhist perspective, he is not dead yet. There are another 4 stages of dying.

The fifth stage of dying occurs when the dying person experiences a white vision. The next stage sees the white vision turns into red vision.

The second last stage happens when darkness occurs. The last stage of dying turns the darkness into a bright light. Only when the dying person reaches the last stage where enlightenment occurs, then death is final.

It is hard to prove whether the dying literally goes through all the 8 stages of dying. We all have heard the story of near death, in which the dying experiences white vision or red vision.

Those who experience near death always have a deeper appreciation of life.

There are instances of people who stop breathing, and return to life later. In a sense, this shows that death does not occur when breathing stops.

Preparing for Death and Helping the Dying by Ven Sangye Khadro is not meant as a scientific discussion of dying and death.

This little book of less than 50 pages attempt to prepare us for death. It serves to demystify death. It serves to detach us from our deep love and desire for material goods. This little book encourages us to volunteer to the care of the dying.

From the Buddhist perspective, it is good karma to take care of the terminally ill and help the dying accepts death.

You can get a copy of this book in digital version the website of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. You can download many other Buddhist publications for free.