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

by Anyen Rinpoche, Allison Graboski (Translator), Anyen Rinpoche

Anyen Rinpoche's wise and reassuring voice guides readers through the Tibetan Buddhist teachings on death and dying, while providing practical tools for end-of-life and estate planning. Dying with Confidence reads like a remarkable how-to guide, laying out in clear and straightforward language the preparations we must make and the best practices to use while dying to further our goal of enlightenment.

Genres: Buddhism, Death, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion

170 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2010

About the author

Khenpo Anyen Tulku Rinpoche is a Tibetan master of Dzogchen meditation as well as a seasoned scholar of the Nyingma and Gelugpa schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He is one of five "heart sons" of his root lama, Khenchen Tsara Dharmakirti Rinpoche, from whom he received an uncommonly short and unbroken lineage of the Longchen Nyingthig cycle of Jigme Lingpa in the lineage of Patrul Rinpoche.

Anyen Rinpoche founded the Orgyen Khamdroling Dharma Center in Denver, Colorado, which remains his principle seat in the West, and the Phowa Foundation, intended to help Buddhist practitioners prepare for the moment of death.

Reviews

[Kimberly Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've read The Tibetan Book of the Dead, this has an abbreviated easy -read likeness since its grounded from the same principles. What makes it different is the Bardo Box description to prepare for death with instructions and legal paperwork suggestions. There are check lists and forms that you can use as is or as a guide to create your own. I am not a Buddhist myself, but I work with people that are terminal with various spiritual paths. I find the book could offer inspiration for spiritual preparation for death besides the biological comforts that normal hospice provides.

Birth and death are the biggest moments in a life. Great effort and concern goes into birthing from atmosphere, who is in the room, music, breathing practice, coaching, medication considerations...Why wouldn't we give death the same considerations? Perhaps this book will inspire people to create the same sacred experience for death that we do with birth.

[Phil · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I guess what disappoints me the most about this book is its wasted potential. Anyen Rinpoche could have offered a non-denominational book for both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike that could have been helpful, but instead he fell too deeply into the ritual, almost-dogmatic practices of the organized religion of Vajrayana Buddhism." -- (more of this review in the Book Reports section at www.philduncanwrites.com

[Chris Lemig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will change your whole view of why we practice Tibetan Buddhism. A lucid guide to preparing for the most important event that will ever happen to us.

[Garrett Dunnington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an interesting introduction for studying death from the buddhist perspective. I radically applied it to trying to apply, understanding the law of impermanence, to my life.

[DChristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful guide to living fully while also being aware of the fact that I could die at any moment. It's written from the perspective of a Tibetan who has had personal experiences with deep suffering and deathlike moments, as well as training in Tibetan meditation and Tibetan practices to prepare for death. The book gives practical information regarding the typical Living Will and how to handle the remains. It gives advice on preparing a box with instructions on who the dying person would like to have at their bedside ("entrusted dharma friend"); what prayers, poems or chants they may want to hear; what pictures or statues they prefer to have in sight; and guidance for family and friends. The advice includes having discussions beforehand of one's wishes with family and special friends who the dying person invites to be at the deathbed. The meditation practices suggested (in preparation for death and at the time of dying) are traditional Tibetan practices, but I see the format easily adapted to anyone's religious, spiritual or more earthy practices. Being 71 years old, I find it very inspiring and comforting.

[Cecy Covarrubias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una gran guía para ayudarnos en el proceso de morir de nosotros mismos y de los demás, que a través de sencillas explicaciones y muchos consejos prácticos nos ayuda a estar preparados para este evento inevitable. Tienes que leerlo si practicas el Dharma o si conoces a alguien que lo practique para que lo ayudes. También si no eres practicante ya que es tan importante lo que puedes ayudar a tu ser querido durante el proceso que lo beneficie en ese momento!

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical look with Tibetan Buddhist understand about the moments or death and preparing for one's death.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating and insightful read for someone coming from a Christian background and who had no previous knowledge of the Tibetan Buddhist apporach to dying.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good information and suggestions from a tradional Tibetan Buddhist viewpoint, but rather dry reading.

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book to help someone who is preparing for death, as we all are.