The Problem of Death in Buddhist Philosophy

Abstract

This paper attempts to show the difference of the approach to death in Buddhism compared with that in the European understanding of death. Meditation - the central preoccupation in the life of every Buddhist - is introduced and discussed together with the Buddha´s doctrine and the theory of the four noble truths. The Buddhist theory of Ego is discussed in relation to two aspects of the mind in Tibetan Buddhism: the ordinary mind and primordial, pure, pristine awareness. Next, the meditation of death in Buddhism is introduced. This form of meditation is a long and demanding initiation, based on moral, ethical and bio-psychical preparation. It leads to the gradual practice of a systematic spiritual and emotional concentration. The problem of reincarnation, Karma and Samsāra, conclude the paper.