This paper explores the meaning and practice of near death mindfulness from the perspective of the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra, and through the Buddhist Spiritual Care, to elevate the spiritual level of the terminally ill by dharma in order to dissolve the fear and anxiety of death, to have a clearer aim and confidence in facing death and eventually crossing the threshold of death with near death mindfulness.
This paper begins the prologue from the historical background, the main philosophy of the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra and the importance and orientation of "Mind". It also clarifies the misunderstanding between Nirvana and the "Wisdom of Ashes", the Buddha-nature of Icchantika and why the Buddha finally propagated the truth of "The Secret Cache of Tathāgata". The author referred to the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra for the contexts of mind which is summed up as: I, Mind as the Master. II, Mind as the cause of Nirvana. III, Abide in Mindfulness.
The subject of life and death does not depart from the Dharma and Thanatology study. This article quoted Professor Fu's "the Nature and Origin of Mind Recognition Standard" as modern Thanatology science.It is about the meaning of life and the attitude of living from the perspective of the enlightenment and experience of "True-self Nature", which helps to understand the significance and the effect of the death. The effect of Dharma on spiritual care is summed up as the following: I, Dharma as Spiritual Care. II, Dharma relieves Spiritual Distress. III, Dharma cultivates Spiritual Harmony. IV, Dharma helps in Spiritual Well-being.
The Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra is the symbol of the spiritual care of Buddhism. It shows the spiritual concern as: I, The impermanent of Body. II, Life and Death Equivalent to Nirvana. III, Dissolve the Life and Death Terror. IV, Heading Beyond Life and Death. There are 2 allusions of near death mindfulness in the Sutra: "Poor Mother's Salvation" and "Fire-burning Traveller", to explain the importance of near death mindfulness at the stage of death.
This paper also deals with the conflict and contradiction between the near death mindfulness and the law of Karma, whether the last thought surpasses everything, therefore probes into discussion about the ultimate factor which leads to next life.
This paper analyzes the near death mindfulness in a hierarchical ways: I, the "Mind" is the essence of the realm and the root of good and evil deeds. II, the Worldly Mindfulness is originated from "Mind". III, the Near Death Mindfulness is cultivated from the daily habits. Therefore, "Mind", "Worldly Mindfulness" and "Near Death Mindfulness" are linked. By implementing the 37 Factors of Enlightenment as the driving force, to get the near death mindfulness rolling.
The main teachings of the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra and the 3
