Death is so near!

14 Apr

11042010339

I am greatly saddened with the recent news of two deaths over the weekend. It leaves a rather poignant reminder of how near death is to all of us. 

The first heart-wrenching death is this cute white little Schnautzer whose name is Namse (I took this last picture of him in the pet hospital). He is an innocent little dog and was such a good boy to his mother, Wan. They loved each other very dearly and Wan treated him just like her own son. 

Unfortunately, his time was up and it was over when a car ran over him. I drove Wan and Paul over to the pet hospital, half-expecting to see Namse injured but alive. However, when we got to the operating table, Namse was already lifeless and had passed away. I will never forget the sight of Wan grieving over Namse's remains. Namse will never lick, eat, bark or show any affection anymore. He is gone.

However, as Buddhists we have to be strong and think what's best for Namse. What will help him is Setrap and Medicine Buddha. So we held onto our tears and recited Medicine Buddha and Setrap mantras and blew onto Namse. Wan repeated whispered into Namse's ears to move on. Then with Rinpoche's advice, consecrated rice, water and mani pills were placed on his head and in his mouth along with a Lamrim volume also placed upon his little head to create the cause for little Namse to take a higher rebirth. Only, Setrap, his karma and the little mantras we recited can help him now. Wan prayed fervently for Namse's good rebirth. This is all we can do at this point. How easily life just slips us by… Today is Namse's passing, tomorrow could be mine…

4 Responses to “Death is so near!”

  1. Peter April 14, 2010 at 9:07 am #

    “All conditioned things are impermanent” — when one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering. This is the path to purification.” Dhammapada
    For Namse…Om Amitabha Hrih!

  2. Maggie Chang April 14, 2010 at 9:39 pm #

    My condolence to Wan. Angry of Malaysian driver behavior of speeding in housing area causing many unnecessary dead of pets & wildlife.

  3. Nancy Yeoh April 20, 2010 at 5:10 pm #

    I have never met Namse in this life but I have memories of him from all the things Wan has shared with me. I would have seen him frolicking in the videos on Rinpoche’s blog. Reading of Namse’s passing placed a tightness in my heart but I also realize that life is just a hair strand away from death. I pray that Namse will be reborn in a higher realm and as may his passing be a reminder to me that life is fleeting and death could be just around the corner. Reprioritize and do what needs to be done! Om Mani Padme Hum!

  4. Nancy Yeoh April 20, 2010 at 5:10 pm #

    I have never met Namse in this life but I have memories of him from all the things Wan has shared with me. I would have seen him frolicking in the videos on Rinpoche’s blog. Reading of Namse’s passing placed a tightness in my heart but I also realize that life is just a hair strand away from death. I pray that Namse will be reborn in a higher realm and as may his passing be a reminder to me that life is fleeting and death could be just around the corner. Reprioritize and do what needs to be done! Om Mani Padme Hum!

Leave a Reply to Maggie Chang