When: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 10:00 am EDT
Attend in person or watch online.
Where: 1287 Coric Ave, Burlington, ON L7R 3S4
Please register here to watch online. (this is a very simple and quick registration process by email),
by phone: Zoom International Dial-in Numbers – Zoom; 893 3790 8395
or watch the puja live-streamed on Facebook.
We are here to share sad news, that Arunas Antanaitis, a very kind man and good friend to many people, passed away this afternoon, May 5, surrounded by family, and sangha. Shortly after taking his last breath Geshe Sonam and Khedrup lead a Guru Puja next to his body, requesting the Guru to bless Arunas as he experiences the clear light of death; and gave some guidance to family and sangha for the immediate next steps.
Tomorrow, Saturday May 6, Geshe la and Khedrup la will lead a Medicine Buddha puja at Lama Yeshe Ling. Medicine Buddha is a particularly beneficial practice at the death time and during the experience of the in-between. Only a few weeks ago, Arunas received advice from Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche to rely on Medicine Buddha, whether he was to live or whether he was to die, to place his trust in Medicine Buddha.
We will schedule prayers for Arunas every 7th day on Fridays. Details Coming.
If you are wondering what you may do for Arunas, here is an excerpt of advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
“However, one needs to be very sensitive to the needs of the dying person. The most important thing is to keep his/her mind happy and calm. Nothing should be done, including certain spiritual practices, if this causes the person to become annoyed or irritated.
“Because the death process is so important, it is best not to disturb the dying person with noise or displays of emotion. Expressing attachment and clinging to the dying person can disturb the mind, and therefore, the dying process. It is more helpful to mentally let the person go, to encourage him/her to move on to the next life without fear. It is important not to deny death or push it away, but rather just to be with the dying person as fully and openly as possible, trying to have an open and deep sharing of the person’s fear, pain, joy, love, etc.
“When a person is dying, the mind becomes much more subtle, and more open to receiving mental messages from dear ones. So silent communication and prayer can be very helpful. It is not necessary to talk much. The dying person can be encouraged to let go into the light, into God’s love, etc. Again, this can be verbal or mental. This should be our aim: not that the person must necessarily believe in karma, but that they die with a happy, positive mind, with compassion and loving kindness; this is our precious gift.”
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