Donating Organs and the Time of Death By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche (Last Updated Sep 17, 2008) A few years ago, an elderly woman asked Lama Zopa Rinpoche about donating her organs at the time ofdeath (not realizing that she was too old for her organs to be acceptable for that purpose). Here is theirconversation.

Mother: People are dying because theres not enough parts and I just want your advice because I wouldlike&you see, Ive been always very healthymy heart, kidney, liver, everything. My eyesightI still dont needglassesand people going blind because they need cornea and theres no replacement. So I just thought, ifyou would think its good, Id like to donate my body, so that they can use the parts. The only thing is, youalways say that, when one dies, one should stay for three days quietly. But after three days, maybe the bodyis not so good any more, so I just wonder what you think is the best thing to do.

Rinpoche: Normally in the Tibet, like that, where you can keep the body, where you are able to keep thebody, keep three days, like that, also, Tibet is also, I guess, also cold, not hot place. I think also, body doesnthave smell in this area (?). So, like that.

But, that reason, thats not always case, because if the body starts to smell immediately, means theconsciousness left the body. If the body smells, whenever the body starts to smell, then, means theconsciousness left the body. So, doesnt need to keep for three days. So, it depends on these circumstances.

[Rinpoche throws mo.]

As long as&when they take the parts of the body, how long after breath stopped, do you know?

M: Well, probably the sooner the better, because when its still almost alive, not quite&but I dont know,maybe if you keep it in a cold storeroombut then you shouldnt be putting the body in a cold storeroomanyway, should you?

Rinpoche: Yes, yes&but I think, it would take some time& I mean, it depends on whether one die at home ordie in hospital. So if its home, you have choice; you dont need to do that immediately. They take the parts ofthe body to charity, you dont have to do that immediately.

M: How long could you keep the body like that, at home?

Rinpoche: No. If its at home, then you have, theres more opportunity, gives more time to pass slowly.There's more time. But I think even in the hospital, if somebody discuss with doctor, even like to wait for tenminutes, fifteen minutes, wait for one hour, half hour, like that. Not immediately, right after breath stopped.Wait for one hour or couple of hours.

M: In hospital?

Rinpoche: Even in hospital. Maybe can be discussed with doctor. To wait, to not cut immediately. To wait onehour, half hour, even twenty minutes. Not immediately, right after breath stopped. So Im sure it can bediscussed, for example... Im sure friendly way can arrange, can arrange. So depend what they say. I heard,right after breath stopped, then they take. But I think, maybe can be discussed, wait for one hour, half hour,even twenty minutes, at least fifteen minutes. So, to take time.

Then, without touching any part of the body, first thing to touch is the crown, on the crown. First thing, touch

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here [on the crown of the head], pull the hair. Pull the hair strongly and then&I have special substances calledpo-wa pill. Po-wa pill contains Buddhas relics, and great enlightened beings, great yogis bones, relics, andmixed with stone magnet, or iron magnet&its pill made of those things.

M: You mix the powder with what?

Rinpoche: Stone magnet, iron magnet. Mix with the Buddhas relics or high yogis, very high lamas, yogisrelics, their bones ashes mixed together. Then you put on the crown, here, stick here, attach on the skin,then that, the magnet, pulls consciousness this way. If the consciousness left through the crown, it goes toformless realms or the pure land of Buddha. Theres only two ways. If the consciousness went [through thecrown]. Only high realmthe pure land and the formless realm.

M: Even with bad karma?

Rinpoche: [Laughs.] Yes. For Mother, even with bad karma. Exception, exception! [Laughs.] No, that time, allthe bad karmas become good karma. [Laughs.] No bad karma that time. [Laughs.]

So the relics of buddhas, yogis, they bless the mind, and the magnet pulls the consciousness to that point.

And also Kalachakra, His Holiness the Dalai Lamas sand, sand powder. Its very good for this method, to puthere. Mix it with butter and put it here. That helps to transfer consciousness through the crown, to go to pureland. I have pills, so I can give you. So, can do these things, like po-wa pill.

[Mo.]

So, because, Mother, you have received Tara Cittamani initiation from Lama Yeshe, from Lama, remember?You have received Tara Cittamani initiation from Lama Yeshe many years ago, at Noojee, remember? Somaybe what you can do is, in these days, if Mother can recite more the Thirty-five Buddha names, the prayer,Thirty-five Buddha names, if Mother can recite Thirty-five Buddhas names. I did the oral transmissionyesterday, downstairs. So thats very, very good for purification.

M: But when do you do it?

Rinpoche: In these days; in these days, to do that, every day. To do as many times as you can, as manytimes as possible. As many times as possible. Is there Kalachakra sand? [Brian: I havent seen Kalachakrasand, Rinpoche, in the medicine bag.] Yes, maybe not. Then maybe some mani pills. The small bottle, thisspecial water.

So Mother received the Cittamani Tara initiation from Lama, so its very good. So also you may possibly havea connection with Tara, so that, you think, you visualize Tara and Lama as one, on your crown.

M: When do I do that, Rinpoche?

Rinpoche: That you can do even now, but the time when you think you are dying, then that time, dont thinkany other thing, just think Tara. Just think Tara on your crown, Tara oneness with Lama. If its difficult to thinkof Tara, just think of Lama, that aspect. Otherwise Tara/Lama, you visualize Tara, but its Lama, LamaYeshe. Then think that you made strong prayer to Lama Yeshe and Tara. When you think that Now Imgoing to die, then you think, make very strong prayer to Tara/Lama Yeshe.

Then you&theres a hole, central channel you thinkif you can think central channellike a trumpetupside-down. Heres the big part, the hole [at the crown], then it stretches straight down to the navel. But thenavel is closed; theres no hole there. So, inside at the heart, yourself in the form of&size of mustard seed,light. So thats yourself, your consciousness.

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Then, you make strong prayer, from there&you can see through, from there, Tara/Lama Yeshe. Then youmake strong prayer, with whole heart rely upon Tara, Please liberate me from the unbearable, terrifyinglower realm precipices and liberate me from the terrifying oceans of samsara, and lead me to the pure landright now, without delay even a second.

So make strong prayer, like this. Then your consciousness, like size of mustard seed, not heavy, so lightlikecotton [wool]. Any time, it can go, it can go up, fly up, like that. So, it went from the heart to the neck chakra,then from neck to the crown. Or, you can go one time straight; just try one time straight [to the crown]. Fromthere, straight going to Taras heart; Lama Yeshe/Taras heart. Or, if its easier, go outside the crown, thenfrom there you can go up.

Then, your mind is oneness with Tara/Lama Yeshe. Then it went up, like shooting arrow, went up to the pureland of Tara. The pure land of Tara. It went in the pure land of Tara. So think, I have arrived in the pure landof Tara, where theres no sufferingno rebirth, no old age, no sickness, no death. So everything is filled withmost beauty. Dakinis in the pure land procession music to you, then you are able to see Tara, receiveteachings from Tara.

So that time, just go to the pure land. But at the moment, evenings, morning, you can practice this meditation.You go to Tara heart, then make strong prayer and shoot out to Taras heart, become oneness. You dontneed to think coming down. [Mo.] If youre coming down, you can think of yourself as a small Tara. Maybecoming down, you dont think, dont need. Then again you become Tara, then again inside the channel, thenyourself size of a mustard seed there, at the heart, in the central channel, then again went up, shoot up toTaras heart. So can do like that maybe twenty-one times, in one session, twenty-one times.

M: You mean doing it now, every day, every night, just to practice.

Rinpoche: Every night, do twenty-one times.

M: You just visualize it?

Rinpoche: Yes, yes. So, if you getafter one or two days, three daysif you get pus [secretion], pus comingout, or swollen here [at crown], or get numb. Getting numb or swollen, or pus coming out, those are goodsigns; numbness or swollen or pus, water, coming out; those are good signs. Or the hair&anyway&those aregood signs.

When the persons dying, at that time those whose consciousness goes to pure land, that time their hair fallsdown [out]. The hair falls down. This happens; recently happened.

So, just go to the heart of Tara, then stay there a little bit. Then again you become, again think of yourself asTara, then start again. Like that. Maybe twenty-one times in one session.

So, when you think you are actually dying, then you go to Taras heart, then to Taras pure land, like arrow.Then think, Now I have arrived in Taras pure land. Extremely beautiful. Dakinis doing prostrations; Tarathere giving teachings; whole sky filled with scented smell; birds flying singing Dharma songs; and the windis&on the trees, wish-granting trees, beautiful trees blown by wind but making Dharma sound.

But this practice, based on the five powers at the time of death; five powers to be practiced near the time ofdeath. So thats very important. So thats what we need to train now. We have to remember what are the five,at least their names, meaning. Then possibility to put into practice.

So the first one is the power of the white seed. Power of white seed means family, possessions, even onesown body, to be detached, by thinking that Being attached to these things, then they cause me to be rebornin samsara, and die, reborn numberless times, from past lives up to now, and this is only nature of suffering;

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this samsara, these aggregates; in the nature of suffering. By thinking this, then try to be detached from allthese things.

Then, the virtue, the help of being detached is that, then, even they are not gone away, not given away, goneaway, they are up in the room, but the mind, what you have received, possessions, for charity to othersentient beings, already in your mind you decided to offer merit field or to make charity to sentient beings, soif your mind has already decided what to do, to give away, then its very good, because if there is plan likethat, your mind gets detached. So its very useful. Otherwise, when your mind is attached to ones own body,then the sense pleasures, and the present family members and the possessions, then that attachment, evenyou know the meditation techniques&

[Break for side business&.]

M: But tell me, what shall I do with my body?

Rinpoche: You can do that. You can give it away, and that is very, very good, because that will helpMothers&because you know that that body is going to make charity, and its very good for the mind; verygood to keep the mind in a state of bodhicitta. It helps for that. Very good for that.

M: So I do all these practices you told me, and then I can give it away?

Rinpoche: Yes. So, this practice to do now, to train now, to do now, but you, actually going to pure land, likeshooting arrow, yourself Tara, then you went Taras heart, then yourself Tara/Lama Yeshe, then shoot in thesky and pure landthat one is only when you think you are dying, but not now. Now only go to Taras heart.Then you are therestay there a little bitthen visualize, then again you become Tara, until you finish session.Like that. Maybe twenty-one times.

So, this practice should be based on&what makes successful, this practice, is by five powers. Five powerswhich are to be practiced near the death time. So first, power of the white seed, so that explained. Sowhether the things have gone away or not, but in the mind, made offering to merit field, the Buddha, Dharma,Sangha, then the charity to other sentient beings, in the mind, if one decided, then that helps very much.Then, your body charity to others, so it helps to not arise, to not cling. So this one, power of white seed, isvery important. To not cling these things and to make offering or to make charity to others. One way to collectmerit and one way it helps not to have attachment.

The first one is very important. The letting go of everything. If that didnt happen, by thinking that Beingattached in these things makes to die and reborn again samsara. So thats what happened frombeginningless rebirth to now. What kept me in samsara is this. Then, if mind try to be detached like this, thenthats one thing. Then the other one is, so body is given to others, Triple Gem and all other sentient beings.

Then, the next power is power of the attitude. So thats the, that one is making plan. So think, From now on, Iwill never allow myself to be under the control of the self-cherishing thought, from now on, and up to death,until death and especially today, even each second, to make strong plan like that, I will never separate awayfrom bodhicitta until enlightenment, until death, especially today, even for one second, I will never separatefrom bodhicitta. That one is very important to do like this; strong plan. That means always to keep the mindin the bodhicitta, thought of cherishing others. Always in that state.

Then, next one is power of blaming to one. What is that one? That is ego, self-cherishing thought. So, that,So far, why I did not become enlightened, did not achieve liberation from samsara, didnt achieve anyrealizations, so far I have been suffering in samsara, what makes me to do this, is by this ego, this greatdemon ego, and if I follow this it will continuously do the same harm, will never allow me to be enlightenedand to be free from samsara. Wont allow me to have any realization. Whatever unfavorable situation, anyobstacle, any unpleasantness, whatever discomfort, anything happen, this all came from ego. This came from

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ego. All this caused to me by ego. So look at the ego as the enemy. You keep separate, away from it; youkeep away from the self-cherishing thought by looking at it as enemy.

Then any unfavorable situation, any discomfort, any unpleasant, whatever happens, then you give it to theego. You use it like weapon, like atomic bomb, or weapon, to the ego, all this unfavorable, this unpleasantthings. Give it to the ego. Instead of taking it on yourself, give it to the ego and destroy completely the ego,destroy, completely non-existent. So the power of blaming to one. So all the problems, undesirable thinghappens, anything, day-to-day life, even the, as I mentioned before, from beginningless rebirths to now,suffering in samsara, all this, putting all the blames on ego. So by putting all the blames on ego, by knowingthat all this is caused by ego, then you split from the ego, then you dont follow ego, then theres a place, thenthe mind is able to cherish others, able to practice bodhicitta.

Then, by having the realization of bodhicitta, then one enter in the Mahayana path, then by realizingemptiness, together, then cease all the gross and subtle defilements and achieve enlightenment, thenenlighten all living beings, liberate numberless living beings from all the suffering and its cause and bringthem to enlightenment. So, even before realization of bodhicitta one will feel the good heart, cherishingothers, benefiting others, then one collect merit like limitless sky, good karma, merit like limitless sky. Andthen, whatever action that one does becomes virtue, cause of enlightenment.

So now the last two. Next one is power of prayer. Dedicate the merits, Past, present and future meritscollected by oneself and the three time merits collected by othersbuddhas, bodhisattvas, all other sentientbeingsmay I never separate away from bodhicitta during death time, during intermediate stage, duringrebirth, all the time, may I never be separate from bodhicitta and have quickest realization of bodhicitta. Pray.So you can think Lama Yeshe/Tara.

Then the next one is power of training. The power of training means like this, so when you know that NowIm going to die, then you lay down, many meditators they die in meditation state by sitting, by manymeditators also by laying down they die, they pass away in the meditation on death by laying down. So,power of training is you lay down, is called position of lion lying down, on the side. So you remember theBuddha, you remember how Buddha passed away, this way, in the lying position, so you remember that,because if you remember Buddha, it leaves positive imprint on the mind, so that helps the mind to becomevirtue, then that helps good rebirth.

So if you can do like this [occlude right nostril with a right finger], its OK, because this breath, its the breathof attachment, so by breaking this, it helps to not be reborn lower realms. But however, whether you can dothat or not, so put head here [in right hand on pillow], stretch two legs, then stretch this arm here, like that [leftarm down along left side], then&

M: Does it matter which side you lie on?

Rinpoche: The right side. Then, thats the position of the body, because laying down this way, it helps. Evenwhen we go to bed, if you able to lie down this way, spirits cannot harm you, because due to this position, thespirits cannot harm you at night time. Like nightmares or spirits pressing down, these things dont happen.Not only death time, even now, before we go to bed, if we remember Buddha, how Buddha passed away inthe lion position, then you keep that position, then either mind in guru devotion, thinking of Lama one withTara with devotion, or compassion to other living beings, or emptiness, or taking other sentient beingssuffering and destroy the ego, then give everythingones own body in the form of wish-granting jewel andpossessions and merits, all the three time merits, all the result happiness, all up to enlightenment, giveeverything to every hell being, every hungry ghost, every animal, every human being, every sura being, everyasura being, every intermediate stage being, that all their place become pure land, like Amitabha pure land,like Tara pure land.

All the hell realm, the unbelievable cold ice mountain, ice plain, then iron ground oneness with fire, iron house

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oneness with fire, all these completely become pure land, so beautiful, and mandala, jewel palace, all theweapons become flowers.

Then pretas, so everything become pure land, then, their main suffering is hunger and thirst, so they receivebillions of nectar, like oceans of nectar, drink and nectar food, for pretas. Billions, like a big market, theyreceive so much, and they enjoy. So they enjoyed these things, they receive everything what they want andwhat they need and cause them to have realizations of the path, method and wisdom, cease all theirdefilements, they all become enlightened. Every hell being become enlightened, every hungry ghost becomeenlightened, every animal.

Particular for animals, so their place become pure land after you give everything. Then their main suffering isbeing eaten by other ones, all these things, being fool and being eaten, so they all receive protection.Vajrapani appeared (?) and being attacked by other animals and by human beings, danger to be killedtheybecome free of all this, they receive everything what they want and need, then by enjoying that, caused themto actualize path of method and wisdom, cease all their defilements, they all become Tara. So you can thinkeveryone become Tara: every hell being become Tara, every hungry ghost become Tara, every animal&.

Then you give everything to all human beings. Then, every human being received rainfalls of dollars, billiondollars, all their houses fully packed with money, wealth, dollars. Like rain. Everyone receive rainfalls, billionsof dollars, and all their place become pure land, they received everything what they want, what theyneedthey dont know what they need, butguru, Dharma, all these things. Then they enjoy all this and thencause to actualize path of method and wisdom, ceases all the defilements, gross and subtle, they all becomeenlightened.

Then, same thing sura and asura, same. The sura, asuras, armor, particular thing is armor, what they need isarmor. So everything you give becomes armor, and also guru, teachings. Then same, they all becomeenlightened in Tara.

Then intermediate state beings, place becomes pure land. They totally free from incredible, terrifying fears.Their karmic view, suffering like mountains of waves, they chased away, or wind, incredible heavyunbelievably strong wind, and then fire and all this, so all this stop completely, all these fears and dangers. Allthe place become pure land, then there is whatever the want, whatever they need. Ones own body,wish-granting jewel body, possessions, three time merits, all the happiness, so they receive. So they receivewhatever they want, whatever they need, then cause them to actualize the path, cease the defilement, theyall become Tara.

Now, you can do like this. Then, when you are actually, when the time of actual dying, that time, maybe domore of taking. If you can do more taking, all their suffering, causes, then try to die with the bodhicitta,cherishing others. Exchanging oneself for others, with the meditation of taking all their suffering, cause ofsufferingdelusion, karmatheir particular death, numberless sentient beings who are&taking on oneself. Thenabsorbed through the nose, absorbed in the ego, then destroyed the ego. So you keep on doing this. So tryto die with that meditation, bodhicitta. But if you prefer to do giving, then also that. Take, give, take, give.

But if you prefer, then you meditate on emptiness, then you take all the suffering, cause, all the death, wentinside, completely destroyed the ego, totally become non-existent. Then, even the I that ego cherishes somuch, the real I that appears to one, even this become totally non-existent. Then you stay in that state ofemptiness. Then try to pass away. Thats one choice.

M: After the death, how soon could they use my body? Should there be an interval?

Rinpoche: To be able to use the body, I dont know whats the minimum time. If its OK for one hour&it has tobe arranged with a doctor. If its OK for one hour, keep for one hour.

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M: But you think one hour is all right?

Rinpoche: Yes, yes. One hour, Anyway, twenty minutes, half hour, one hour, I mean, if its OK longer, its OK,but depends what the doctor, minimum time that its OK to give the body to others.

But then, the important thing is, that breath stopped, then your body is still soft; not become hard; still soft.Like same as not dead. Breath stopped but everything is like sleeping. So, whatever the name of the time thedoctor gives, just before that, in any case, after the breath stopped, dont touch any part of the body. Justleave it. Then, if need touch, before the doctor does the operation [to remove parts], then pull the center hair[at the crown] and put this pill here [po-wa pill on the crown]. This is special water. This is from Mt. Kailash.This is Vajrayogini water. And anybody who drink this, it is said, go to pure land, and anybody who washes inthis or drinks this.

M: So when do you drink it?

Rinpoche: When you think you are dying, that time you drink this. So, make sure the other people who arelooking after you, ask them to put. Just, when the breath is about to stop, or during those momentsif itspossible before the breath stops, thats very good. This [giving Mother pills], this pill is this one [mani pill toput in water or take daily]; this is the pill, to put here [po-wa pill for crown].

M: This is the mustard seed&?

Rinpoche: No, this is the precious [po-wa] pill to put here [on the crown]. So this one [mani pill], you can takeany time, every day two, but when you think that now it seems death is happening, then that time, crush, putin the water, in the bottle here, then either you drink or someone put in mouth with spoon. This is HisHoliness the Dalai Lamas mani pill. Many deity meditators, thousands of Tibetan people, they chant mantra,they blessed.

M: Rinpoche, how often do you do that?

Rinpoche: Oh, these you take two, three a day.

M: Any time? Even now?

Rinpoche: Yes, any time you can take. Morning, before meditation, you take. And think your mind iscompletely, that time, received all the qualities of Compassionate Buddha [Chenrezig], bodhicitta. Receivedrealization of bodhicitta and omniscient mind, all the qualities of Compassionate Buddha. Especially at thetime of death, crush and put in bottle, then to shake and then either somebody put in mouth or you put thisway, to bless.

M: Well, thank you Rinpoche, Ive taken up so much of your time. (Rinpoche: No problem, no problem.) Ithought Ill be ten minutes, so that was wonderful.

Rinpoche: I thought [this was] ten minutes! No, Im very happy, very happy to do this for Mother. Veryimportant. Im very happy; this so important, and Im very happy to help Mother.

So this, Mother study this, or listen again, and so then, if you meditate on these things now, in every day,besides this one, the one with five power, then at the time, when the death comes, very easy, all thisnaturally.

M: Yes, Ill be listening every day.

Rinpoche: Sure, thats very good. And also&before the doctor&in case&[ mo]&in case still in meditation state,

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breath stopped and long time meditation state, then before the time, if the meditation is not over, thenincense, can light incense; person whos round light incense. So incense makes to stop meditation. Lightincense, or maybe even put in here [not sure what this means], light incense, then that makes stopmeditation, so then the doctor can do things.

So, I think thats it. Anyway, Mother is very lucky, Mother is very lucky. Met Lama, met His Holiness the DalaiLama and Lama Yeshe.

M: Wheres my little thing [blessing string]? Thats still from Lama Yeshe, this, is it the red one? I never take itoff. You see? Its so thin already.

Rinpoche: When from? During his last time? During his last visit?

M: I think he gave it early, in Kopan. In 1973 or 74.

Rinpoche: Actually, I just thought this morning, just come to the home, just stop short time to home, just forcup of tea. I thought this morning. I did not know that Mother is coming here. I didnt know.

M: You didnt know that I was coming?

Rinpoche: No, I didnt. I thought, this morning thought came, Oh, I go to house, just to chat, just cup of tea.

M: Yes, I told Yeshe Khadro that I wanted to talk to you about this. Because I didnt tell anybody about it yet,but I told last night Yeshe Khadro and she said that I should get your advice.

Rinpoche: No, I didnt know. Thought just came to me this morning that maybe I should go to visit you, justfor cup of tea and chat a little bit.

M: Well, thank you so much. I really thought Ill be ten minutes, Ill just ask you the question, youll say yes orno, so thats wonderful. Its maybe the last time?

Rinpoche: No, this is really my great pleasure. Really.

M: So kind. So, I dont know, will I still see you in this life?

Rinpoche: Well, my time is uncertainty. I may come at any time to Australia.

M: Well, youve got so many places that everybody wants you. Its very difficult.

Rinpoche: Yes, right, yes. But now His Holiness the Dalai Lama is coming; next year.

M: Where is he coming to?

Rinpoche: Melbourne. Then after, again the next year, coming. Yes, two times. So, greater opportunity.

M: We all went to Sydney. That was about four years ago.

Rinpoche: Kalachakra.

M: When His Holiness gave a Kalachakra.

Rinpoche: Thats right, thats right. Wasnt that wonderful?

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M: Oh, terrific.

Rinpoche: [Laughs.]

M: I mean, just to see him, its so, its so&I dont have words.

Rinpoche: Yes, youre right, Mother. Youre right.

M: And you know, not just Buddhists. Everybody think of him so. Just, you can feel that its different person&

Rinpoche: Sure, definitely, definitely&

M: So maybe one day, Tibet will be free. Who knows?

Rinpoche: Yes, its taking much time.

[Tape stops.]

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