Dying with Confidence: A Tibetan Buddhist Guide to Preparing for Death [Paperback]

Anyen Rinpoche (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2010

In this book, Anyen Rinpoche gives practical information beneficial to those wanting to explore the depth of the teachings on dying skillfully, in accord with the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Encouraging readers to honestly look at both life and death, and to contemplate our impermanence deeply, the author shows us how to use the very process of dying to further our goal of enlightenment, compassion, and a wise and fulfilling life in the here-and-now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A powerful guidebook and a source of comfort at life’s most crucial moment.”
—Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, author of Boudless Healing

“We all have temporary and ultimate fears, those of this life and those of the future—but among all of our fears, our greatest fear is the fear of death. Dying with Confidence gives us the methods to grasp the stronghold beyond death. Thank you, Anyen Rinpoche, for this incredibly kind book.”
—Garchen Rinpoche

“Drawing from his vast knowledge of Buddhist teachings, Tibetan master Anyen Rinpoche offers us a wise and luminous guide to the interplay between life and death, to the nature of consciousness, and to the transformation of fear into faith.” —Tsoknyi Rinpoche, author of Carefree Dignity and Fearless Simplicity

“This may be the most important contemporary Dharma book now available.” —Deborah Schoeberlein, author of Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness

“This is a wonderful book, a very practical guide grounded in the author's
personal experience and deep reflections. The sample end-of-life
documents that Anyen Rinpoche provides—the sample Dharma Will, for instance—are exceptionally valuable.” —José Ignacio Cabezón, The Dalai Lama Professor UC Santa Barbara

“With clear, concise directions, the author guides the reader through what is necessary to ensure a calm and smooth transformation into the next phase of existence. Including topics ranging from preparation of the will to organ donation and the use of medications and medical technology, Dying With Confidence provides a complete guide for Buddhists and also addresses the role of non-Buddhists as well. The appendices in the back of the book provide highly useful resources and additional information that the reader will also find useful. While the concept of one’s death is almost always uncomfortable to contemplate, it is not something that should be overlooked; this book will help to make the metamorphosis that much easier.”—Elephant Journal

“This is an insightful “how-to” guide. The perfect way to die is “to abide in the nature of mind, with its empty essence, clear nature and all-pervasive compassion” according to a remarkable rinpoche who passed away on the first day of Sakadawa in 2005, and is quoted by the author of this loving and practical book who himself was born in Tibet and teaches at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Anyen Rinpoche’s clear compassionate style will help those who think that contemplating death will make them sorrowful. It should not. He helps us to understand the various stages, the bardos of living and dying, the practice of phowa and how to help someone through the dying process. A clear and reassuring read.”—Mandala, Editors Choice

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications (September 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861716566
• ISBN-13: 978-0861716562
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Death & Grief > Grief & Bereavement

More About the Author

Anyen Rinpoche is a tulku from Amdo, Tibet, and is an esteemed scholar as well as the heart son of his root Lama, Kyabje Tsara Dharmakirti Rinpoche. He is the fifth in an unbroken lineage of heart sons who received their uncommon lineage of the Longchen Nyingthig and introduction to the Dzogchen teachings directly from the renowned Dzogchen master Patrul Rinpoche. Anyen Rinpoche's training included more than fourteen years of intensive study combined with solitary retreat before he obtained the degree of Khenpo and became the head scholar of his root Lama's monastic university in Kham, Tibet.

Anyen Rinpoche primarily lives and teaches in Denver, Colorado, where he founded the Orgyen Khamdroling Sangha. Rinpoche's focuses include a shedra for Westerners as well as an annual Medicine Buddha Monlam, which gathers people from all walks of life together to pray each year for global peace and wellbeing.

Find out more about Anyen Rinpoche's dharma activity and teachings at www.anyenrinpoche.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fresh Presentation that Hits Home, September 26, 2010

By 

Julie B - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dying with Confidence: A Tibetan Buddhist Guide to Preparing for Death (Paperback)

"The fact of death is certain. And for this reason, because it is completely certain, death is something we should be fearless about." --Anyen Rinpoche

I have been through this book twice, and I still think I have only scratched the surface of the material. There is no other book that covers the same ground. No matter what your spiritual tradition, there is much to consider here about how you bring your own teachings to the contemplation of death and dying.

The book includes Rinpoche's own experiences with great illness and near-death; these ground his faith in these teachings and give them extra weight.

There are four parts to the book: Part One, "Spiritual Preparations for the Time of Death, an Evolving Meditation on Life and Death" deals with extremely practical matters: What practice to we aspire to master during our lives? What practices do we want to be able to rely on as support for when our lives are ending? Rinpoche encourages us to set a Dharma Vision, or aspiration for our practice while we are healthy, create a Dharma Will for those practices and people we want to have supporting us during illness and dying, as well as preparatory materials for our sangha and family as we near death. These are of value for anyone trying to prepare for their death, regardless of religion.

Part Two, "Spiritual Practices as the Time of Death Draws Near," describes Tibetan Buddhist spiritual practices, or phowa, from Rinpoche's Longchen Nyingthig lineage as well as the Tibetan perspectives of the stages of death and the bardos. This is a particularly accessible presentation of the material.

Part Three presents a discussion of medical considerations for the Buddhist practitioner. If we want to practice at the time of death, what medical science is a support and what is a deterrent to effective practice?

Part Four describes the role of sangha and the spiritual friend in dying.

Supporting materials, including sample Dharma Wills and legal documents are provided in the Appendices.

This book will be with me for a very long time. Highly recommended!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Order To Die Skillfully, One Must Live Skillfully, September 22, 2010

By 

DrRichie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dying with Confidence: A Tibetan Buddhist Guide to Preparing for Death (Paperback)

Anyen Rinpoche has written a remarkably clear and beautifully written narrative on the process of dying. Rinpoche's down to earth practical suggestions for sensible preparation are balanced by the detailed map he provides of the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of death. Whatever you think you know about this topic, whatever your religious or spiritual background, I encourage you to read the book, as it is highly likely you will learn some very powerful information. Don't be put off by fear of the topic, this is an uplifting work that will inform, spur thought and hopefully initiate action.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Knowledge, September 21, 2010

By 

yeshe11 "yeshe11" (Sarasota, Fl.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dying with Confidence: A Tibetan Buddhist Guide to Preparing for Death (Paperback)

In his wonderful and concise book, Anyen Rinpoche simplifies an oftentimes complex subject, the Tibetan Buddhist view on death. The book clarifies the phases we go through as we are dying and prepares us for the actual moment of death itself, and even what comes after. With dexterity and pragmatism, Anyen Rinpoche explains how to map out our intentions by writing a 'dharma will' and creating a 'dharma box'. The amount of useful and practical information that is packed into this book is astounding. I highlighted every page! This book can be read by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike as anyone with a spiritual inclination can translate this information and use it accordingly with their own beliefs. THe crisp translation by Allison Grabowski, makes the concepts easy to grasp. This is a must-read for anyone studying Tibetan Buddhism, and an important book all around for anyone wishing for a deeper understanding of death and the dying process.