Lake of Lotus (33) - The Profound Abstruseness of Life and Death-The Meaning of NDEs (33) - by Vajra Master Pema Lhadren-Dudjom Buddhist Association

The Profound Abstruseness of
Life and Death
The Meaning of
Near-Death
Experiences (33)
By Vajra Master Pema Lhadren
Translated by Simon S.H. Tang
Why Should Death Be a Must Task for Life-long Learning?

How to Open Up More Windows of Life?
The Grandest Series of Talks on Near-Death Experiences Ever in Hong Kong History
Excerpt of Last Chapter: Various Reasons on

the Formation of
Different Scenes at the Moment of Death
The scenes at the moment of death can be roughly classified in
the following categories in accord with the varieties of the main
causes and auxiliary conditions:
1. The Separation of the Four Elements the main cause (the

internal consciousness and sub-consciousness, including all kinds of memories) conjoins with the auxiliary conditions (the Separation of the Four Elements in the external circumstances) in forming the scenes at the moment of death
(please refer to the articles on The Meaning of Near-death
Experiences in Issues 8 and 20 of the Lake of Lotus).
Issue no. 33
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2. The Endorphins Inside the Brain the main
2. Strange places: (i) good ones saw pavilions, bal-
cause (the internal consciousness and sub-
conies, buildings, flower fields, rivers, light zones,
consciousness) conjoins with the auxiliary con-
towns or cities.
ditions (the endorphins inside the brain of the

external circumstances) in forming the scenes at
(ii) bad ones saw wilderness, forests, darkness,
the moment of death (please refer to the article
caverns, hells.
on The Meaning of Near-death Experiences in

Issue 21 of the Lake of Lotus).
3. Messy Issues that cannot be recalled clearly.
3. The Karmic Forces the main

cause (the internal conscious-
How would the Buddhist point of view
ness and sub-consciousness)
comment on these phenomena? Ac-
conjoins with the auxiliary condi-
cording to the Buddhist teachings, it
tions (the karmic forces of the
was said that rebirth would take place
external circumstances) in form-
within forty-nine days after a person
ing the scenes at the moment of
has passed away, then why would a
death. This can be further classi-
dying person see the kith and kin who
fied into the following two kinds:
had passed away long time ago still

coming to fetch for him or her? Why
i. Wholesome Ones arising
had not the kith and kin taken rebirths
from: (a) virtuous retributions
after so many years posthumously?
(please refer to the article on
Are the appearances of these deceased persons
The Meaning of Near-death Experiences in
merely the illusions of the person who is going to die?
Issue 21 of the Lake of Lotus); and (b) the ef-
Or were they really true? Are there any other reasons?
forts of ones Dharma practice (the main theme
Are those strange places the destinations where they
of this article in this issue).
are going to be reborn into? Under what circumstances would the normal rebirth of a dying person
ii. Unwholesome Ones arising from: (a) vicious
be negatively encumbered? Is there any way to help
retributions; and (b) the forces of karmic credi-
a deceased person to avert sufferings and elevate to
tors in seeking compensations on ones karmic
a better place of rebirth?
debts.
Human beings have four kinds of conditions of conAccording to the records of different surveys, most of
sciousness (please refer to the article The Wisdom in
the dying people had seen the following scenes:
Directing Ones Dharma Practice in Issue 26 of the

Lake of Lotus) as follows:
1. Protectors or avengers: (i) good ones saw kith and

kin who had passed away, unknown protectors,
1. Beta waves the conscious condition of daily living;
deities or Buddhas coming to fetch for oneself

2. Alpha a waves the relaxed consciousness condi(ii) bad ones being besieged by a crowd of fero-
tion, such as in entering into the elementary stage of
cious persons or beasts, and going along in
visualization, or at the first stage of mental concen-
company with groups of people who looked
tration; or the condition when the spiritual body is
confused.
slowly separating from the physical body;

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3. Theta O waves the peaceful conscious condi-
issues of Accepting and Understanding and Listen-
tion of having entered into higher levels of visu-
ing and Observing had been clearly highlighted in the
alization, or at the deeper levels of mental con-
cases of the last chapter (please refer to the article The
centration;
Meaning of Near-death Experiences in Issue 30 of the

Lake of Lotus). To most people, the issues of Ac-
4. Deltawaves slow conscious condition of not
cepting and Understanding and Listening and Ob-
having any dreams, and in a stage of slow-wave
serving are not difficult to do and it is relatively easy
deep sleep.
to carry out under the call of love and with ones

wisdom. Not too many skills will be required. Even
In fact, how does the arising of the different stages
though a person has never learned of the relevant
in approaching death and its transformation of con-
know-how nor have received any such relevant train-
sciousness affect the thoughts and behaviors of
ing, he or she can still spontaneously provide proper
dying patients? What are their relationships with the
care or resolve various problems for the seriously-ill
scenes at the moment of death? How should the
persons, or dying patients.
family and kin and kith who take care of the dying
patients respond to the transformation of conscious-
However, the quality and depth of the resolution to
ness and change of scenes at the moment of
a problem would be inadequate or imperfect, due
death for guiding the emotions and spiritual direc-
to lack of relevant know-how or training by the par-
tion of the dying patients? Could the transformation
ticipants. In order that both the care-giving fam-
of consciousness and the change of scenes at the
ily members and the dying patients do not have re-
moment of death be complementary to each other?
morse which will be too late to repent later on, but
Furthermore, the disintegration of the Four Elements
only ultimate offering in farewell with a heart-to-heart
of the physical body also affects the transformation
connection and having no trace of regret, the follow-
of consciousness, as well as on the change of the
ing three steps should be included in the issues that
scenes at the moment of death. Hence, how should
must be done when a dying patient is approaching
one support and provide guidance to a dying patient
the first stage of death.
in order to reduce or resolve the predicament from

3. Analyzing and Adopting Analyzing is an impor-
these problems?
tant element in every case of success. Howev-
What is the Ultimate Assistance in the First
er, why did so many people fail although having
Stage of Approaching Death?
made detailed analysis in advance? Even though
The care-givers, kin and kith and professional coun-
marginal and barely satisfactory. Many people
selors should perform the following steps when a dy-
attribute the outcomes to fortune, or the trend
ing person is approaching the first stage of death:
of times, or ability. However, the question is not
they are successful, but then the results are just
merely due to these issues. Most importantly,

1. Accepting and Understanding
whether the key point has been wrongly set when
2. Listening and Observing
an analysis is made? Are the facets and direction
3. Analyzing and Adopting
of the analysis pinpointing to the problem?
4. Leading Out and Guiding In

There are at least two parts to the issue of Analyzing
5. Accompanying with Unspoken Consensus
and Adopting. The first part of Analyzing and

Adopting is to be led by a dying patient, while the
The key points of application and their importance on the

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which of these should be given the first priority? How
second part of Analyzing and
should we take good care of the dying persons?
Adopting is to be led by the

care-givers, kin and kith and
professional counselors. The
People who have suffered serious illnesses would
first part had been discussed in
discover that: different persons would suffer the
the last chapter (please
impacts of illness and sorrow differently. The relations
refer to the article The
of the patients with their relevant kin and kith would
Near-
also be changed owing to such experiences. What
death Experiences
are the other points in the issues of analyzing and
in Issue 31 of the
adopting that are worthy of attention and analysis
Lake of Lotus), and
by the caregivers, kin and kith, and professional
so now we are going to discuss
counselors? What kinds of strategies could be
on the issue of Analyzing and
adopted? Acting in the role of a medical practitioner,
Adopting as being led by the care-givers, kin and
Dr. Po-chang Lee, professor of surgery at the medical
kith and professional counselors.
School of the National Cheng Kung University of
Meaning
of
Taiwan, has made the following suggestions to the

contemporary medical professionals, as well as all
Why Should Death Be a Must Task for
people and their relevant family members who will be
Life-long Learning ?
bound to face death:
Death should be a must task for our life-time
1. Dare to confront: one must take serious thoughts
learning. .. A person who refuses to learn
and considerations towards the issue of life and
to face death would experience tremendous
death as if ones view on death sentence, there
frustration when he gets old. On the contrary,
will be tremendous differences in emotional
a person who has accepted the reality and
responses of what is happening to the others and
nature of death would live more freely, and will
of what is happening to oneself.
be able to open more windows of life. -- by Erik

H. Erikson, psychologist and psychoanalyst.
2. Dare to accept: try to grasp on any opportunity

of survival, but one must be prepared to accept
death the objective of medical care is never to
While I thought that I have been learning how
give up on a valuable life. However, the occurrence
to live, but, in fact, I have been learning how to
of cancer could not be predicted. In most cases,
die. -- by Leonardo da Vinci.
illnesses develop in a chronic manner, and so any
How important is this learning of death to the dying
opportunity of survival is worthy of attempts to cure
patient at the end of ones life, as well as to his
it. Yet, the medical science still has its limitations,
relevant family members who survive him? How one
and so one must be prepared to accept death.
should learn about this? Are there any other issues
In general, patients with non-life-threatening
that one should pay attention to, besides the issues of
diseases could recover, or would appear in
analyzing and adopting, as well as on the decisions
chronic manner, and so they would not have the
of whether to resuscitate or not? Furthermore, among
pressure of imminent death. Yet, though there is
the different issues on maintaining ones life,
no pressure of death, one should still need to give
maintaining the quality of ones life, and maintaining
serious thoughts and attention as to how to deal
ones final dignity at the last moment of ones life,
with death. When death actually comes to oneself,

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the relevant person would be inconceivably lost in
physicians must understand and empathize with
an out of control situation. Hence, one must first
the moods of long-term battling of their cancer
accept death, and then try to endeavor for ones
patients with their family members their family
survival on the ground of death. Under such a
members are under the torment and helplessness
circumstance, it is possible for one to pass through
in witnessing the sufferings of the patients, as well
the difficulties more smoothly.
as their own hovering around offices, hospitals and

residences, which are long-term responsibilities
3. Be frank and open: medical practitioners are not
and burdens that they have to shoulder. If the
almighty gods, and so there is no way that they
physicians would take these factors into account,
can tell as to when will be the time for ones ending
they could help to reduce many unnecessary
of life however, there are lots of scientific data
medical procedures. For instance, many dying
that the medical practitioners can advise the
patients, even those bed-ridden terminal cancer
patients and their family members as to how is
patients, are still subject to multiple rounds of
the chance of ones curing, or in the slowing down
newly-developed chemotherapies unceasingly
on the development of ones cancer disease.
before their deaths. Furthermore, there are those
Physicians must face the situation honestly, and
patients who have been diagnosed of metastasis
elaborate on the details to their patients and their
to multiple sites and were sent for surgeries to
family members, so that they can have sufficient
remove parts of the tumor tissues. As such, these
information and time to learn how to deal with
many patients have to suffer much or unnecessary
the various symptoms and its eventual death.
pains and traumas. Hence, Professor Po-chang
Professor Po-cheng Lee was asked to pay a visit
Lee deems it necessary that all physicians
to a friend whose liver cancer had already been
should ask themselves all the times the basic
metastasized to multi-sites, and the patient could
and fundamental question of what is the real
not take meal and ascites were developed. He
meaning and value to a patient in carrying out
asked the patients husband cautiously as to
these surgeries or chemotherapy. The objectives
whether he knew the current situation of his wife.
of these procedures must not be aimed for either
The answer was unexpected that, for two years, he
the gaining of more clinical experiences, or even
was innocent about the situation of his wife, and he
worse the getting of better incomes.
had no clue that his wife was approaching the end

of her life. Both the patient and her family members
5. Active
education:
development
of
rational
were kept in the dark. Professor Po-chang Lee
attitude in society Medical practitioners must
was very sad about this: with the advancement
recognize their own limitations, and discuss with
of medical technologies and the reform of
their patients and their family members about the
medical education, it is questionable whether
dying process. Both the medical profession and
the medical ethics has been taken seriously or
the society in general should cultivate a rational
not? Is the rather active current treatment method
attitude to accept the fact that terminal cancer
scientifically meaningful to the rate of survival?
patients would die eventually. They should not
Professor Po-chang Lee deemed it necessary
use not-giving-up as an excuse to evade the
that all medical practitioners must properly carry
responsibility of the medical profession!
out due consideration and selection with good

sense of moral conscience and responsibility.
6. Dare to shoulder responsibilities: physicians and

patients should jointly examine the limitations of
4. Ask oneself from the bottom of ones heart: all
medical care Professor Po-cheng Lee recalled

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the situation when his mother was hospitalized in
How to Open Up More Windows of Life?
the National Taiwan University Hospital in 2008,

due to cardiac disease, diabetics and uremia.
Professor
During that time, his mother was still conscious
last moment of ones life, which of these should be

given the first priority? Could it be possible to maintain
recovering.
the balance of the three
Nonetheless, in the afternoon
issues without causing too
on the 30th September, while
big conflicts in-between?
he was lecturing in his class,
Professor
Professor Lee received a
Lee
phone call from his brother

informing
him
that
heartbeat
had
question.
brief
demonstrated
(Please
cancer patient of terminal
discussion,
stage be rescued? by
they have decided not to
Po-chang Lee, 29th May
carry out any resuscitation
2010, China Times in
for their mother. His brother
Taiwan).
was waiting for him, while

Professor Lee immediately
In fact, how important is
took an express train to Taipei.
the study of death for
They changed the clothes for
both the survived family
their mother, and stitched up
members and their dying
the wounds together. Every
relatives?
time in remembering this scene, his eyes would
If
of tragedies due to the ignorance of death, and will
the filial piety to their mother, and did not let her
understand thoroughly the ways that so many people
suffer at the end of her life. All along, Professor Po-
are not willing to face death, and in avoiding to talk
chang Lee considers that all medical practitioners
about death. As a result, their most beloved ones
should have the attitude of treating all patients
would have to suffer acute and unbearable pains,
as if they are their own family members. They
and their consequences are inconceivably severe.
should shoulder the responsibility of examining
Only when you have the personal experiences of the
the limitations of medical care together with the
kind of suffering as if being wounded in cuts, will you
patients, and to find out appropriate treatments of
be able to have a much deeper understanding on the
best quality for the physical, mental and spiritual
fact that only when one can accept death, will one
care to their patients. This is, indeed, the kind of
be able to deal with death.
medical ethics.
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are
Lee did every day, you will be able to witness all sorts
half-year during their mothers life, they had fulfilled
Issue no. 33
you
present in a hospital, like what Professor Po-chang
get red. Yet, they were calm at heart. For the last
refer
to an article Should the
stopped in the hospital ward.

After
has
Po-chang
the best answer to this
their
mothers
own
ones life, and maintaining ones final dignity at the
ventilator,
and so on. They have found that their mother

gradually
his
maintaining ones life, maintaining the quality of
of cardiac stent, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis,
was
taken
manner. In fact, among the different issues on
their mothers recovery, including the applications

medical
has
life and death in the form of a rational and touching
tried every effort in giving every opportunity for
tracheotomy,
Lee
experiences as an example to illustrate a dirge of
and with mobility. Both his brother and himself
pacemaker,
Po-chang
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When you get older will you be
indeed, the art of life. Do you know
able to realize better why the late
that there are other more profound
psychologist
psychoanalyst,
levels and meanings? When you
Erik H. Erikson, had mentioned the
realize all the kinds of experiential
following words: Death should be a
adventures that the survivors of
must task for our life-long learning.
Near-Death Experiences have
A person who refuses to learn
gone through, you would then
to face death would experience
come to understand that life will
tremendous frustration when he
continue on even after death. Thus
gets old. Similarly, one would then
the key point of the art of life lies
start to realize the meanings behind
in the drill for death. Furthermore,
it when the wise man Leonardo da
ones departure from the human
Vinci had said, While I thought that
world should be taken with the
I have been learning how to live, but,
same kind of attitude as ones
and
in fact, I have been learning how to die.
arrival in it -- to face and start afresh on a new page

of life.
When you have mastered all the knowledge about

death, you would then better understand the
The art of living is a drill for death.------ Socrates
meaning of what Erik H Erikson has said: a

person who has accepted the reality and nature
Men must endure, their going hence even as their
of death would live more freely, and will be able
coming hither. King Lear by W. Shakespear
to open more windows of life. The importance of

learning about death to both the dying persons
The Grandest Series of Talks on "Near-Death
and the survived family members is to open up
Experiences" Ever in Hong Kong History
more opportunities and windows of life. This is,

indeed, the real meaning of life.
In order that more people can have the opportunity to

Being honored as the Mother of Palliative Care in
know about the meaning of near-death experiences
Taiwan, Dr. Chao Co-Shi gives over 100 talks per
from a more rational and more scientific attitude, the
year. The subjects of her talks are always around
Dudjom Buddhist Association has participated
the themes of how to have good death, how to die
in the charity activity of the Love Ideas HK
in peace, and how to avoid sufferings at the end
Campaign of the Li Ka Shing Foundation. Our topic
of ones life. You must be wondering why this lady
on Stimulating Our Thinking Towards Life and
is always talking about death with people when
Death has received the generous support of popular
everybody else is thinking about the beauty and
votes from the general public via on-line voting, and
hope of life. Why is it that Dr. Chao Co-Shi can face
was thus granted the financial sponsor and support
death so calmly and be so determined as to service
from the Foundation. With the funding, we are now
the dying patients for her whole life, when everyone
able to invite three world-renowned professionals and
tries hard to get away from it? This is because Dr.
scholars who are the top authorities in the research
Chao Co-Shi wants to share with others the meaning
area of Near-Death Experiences to give talks in Hong
of palliative care towards life, how to face death
Kong by sharing their top-notched frontier medical
calmly, and how to pass away peacefully with dignity
and scientific research findings on the relationship
and respect at the last moment of ones life. This is,
between the human brain and the consciousness,

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as well as by investigating into whether or not the
Consultant Neuropsychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital
consciousness still continues to exist after death,
which he ran for 20 years, Senior Lecturer at the
and so on.
Institute of Psychiatry, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist

at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford and Senior Lecturer
It is, indeed, the first time in the history of Hong Kong
at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London.
that such a large scale event on the topic of Scientific

Evidence on Near-Death Experiences A General
Currently, his is the Honorary Clinical Consultant
Discussion of Life and Death will be explored and
neurophysiologist at Broadmoor Hospital, UK and
open to the general public. It is an unprecedented
Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry,
event on the dissemination of high-level knowledge
University of Southampton, UK. In the past ten years,
on the topic of Life and Death and has never
he has spent several months per year in a research
happened before, such that it is most fortunate for our
laboratory for the study of Magnetoencephalography
Hong Kong people to have such a rare opportunity to
in Japan. He also involves in large hospice projects
broaden their vision and horizon on Life and Death.
in UK, Holland and Japan. He is the Chairman of
This event is now scheduled to be held on 9 October,
the Scientific and Medical Network, as well as the
2011 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Chairman of the Research Committee, Integral
Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Due to the limited
Medical Foundation.
th
availability of seats, those readers who do not want

to miss this great opportunity are most encouraged to
Dr. Fenwick has longstanding research in the areas of
book their tickets as soon as possible. The following
near-death experiences and the dying process. He
are the brief introductions of these three world-
has studied over 300 cases and has strong expertise
renowned researchers:
knowledge in this special area. He has published over

240 academic papers and 6 books of special topics.
1. Dr. Peter B C Fenwick
He is considered as the major authority in clinical
BA (Cantab), MBBChir (Cantab), FRCPsych
research on Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) in the

United Kingdom.
2. Dr. Pim van Lommel
Dr. Fenwick has a wide area of professional expertise

which covers psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, neurology
and neurosurgery, head, brain and spinal cord disease
Dr. van Lommel graduated from the Medical School of
and injury, sleep disorder and especially epilepsy. He
Utrecht University, Netherlands. In 1976, he became
has had a special interest in the relationship between
a cardiologist and worked in the Rijnstate Hospital
brain function and the mind, and with longstanding
for 26 years. He has extensively published many
and intensive research in this area.
professional papers on cardiology.
Dr. Fenwick had held many key positions in several
Due to his work, he has come across many patients
medical and academic institutions. He had been
who survived a cardiac arrest informing him about

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their near-death experiences. This had taken his
Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Freiburg
attention and so he became interested in the subject.
respectively. During the interim period, he held an
In 1986, he started studying near-death experiences
internship in Clinical Psychology at the Department of
in patients who survived a cardiac arrest. He has
Psychiatry, University of Virginia, USA.
studied over 500 cases.

He had been teaching at the Department of
In 1988, he co-founded the Merkawah Foundation,
Psychology at the University of Iceland for over a
IANDS (the International Association of Near-
quarter of a century. He has been a visiting professor
Death Studies) in the Netherlands. In 2001, Dr. van
at the University of Virginia, Adjunct Research
Lommel and others published their Dutch study
Faculty Member at the Institute of Transpersonal
in the reputable medical journal The Lancet. In
Psychology, California, USA, and Research Professor
addition, he has authored chapters in several books
at the Institut fur Grenzgebiete der Psychologie und
about near-death experiences and also published
Psychohygiene, Freiburg, Germany.
articles about the subject. In 2007, he published

his book in Dutch Eindeloos Bewustzijn (Endless
Professor Haraldsson has a wide range of research
Consciousness) in the Netherlands. This book was a
interests,
bestseller, and within one year over 120,000 copies
folk-beliefs, miracle makers, death-bed visions,
were sold. Thereafter, the book has been translated
apparitions, contacts with the dead, and so on. His
into English and French.
study on reincarnation is especially world famous, and
including
psychic
experiences
and
is considered one of the pioneers of western scholars

In the past several years, Dr. van Lommel has been
in this special field. He has been researching in
invited to give talks on the topics of near-death
places like Sri Lanka, India and Lebanon for studies of
experiences and the relationship between brain
children who claimed that they could recall memories
function and the mind all over the world. In 2005, he
of their previous lives. The cases studied are over 100
was granted the Bruce Greyson Research Award
and more than 100 academic papers and five books
on behalf of the IANDS. And in September 2006,
of special topics have been published. He is a world-
the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam,
class authority in contemporary research study on the
awarded him the Life Time Achievement Award
cases of reincarnation.
at the World Congress on Clinical and Preventive

Cardiology in New Delhi, for the recognition of his
Professor Haraldsson had been in longstanding
great contributions.
research collaborations with Professor Ian Stevenson

of the Medical School, University of Virginia, USA,
3. Professor Erlendur Haraldsson
and with Dr. Karlis Osis, a world-class leading

psychologist. The book At the Hour of Death
Professor Haraldsson studied
(authored by Drs. Haraldsson and Osis) is a rare book
philosophy at the University
on death-bed visions, which has been translated into
of Edinburg, England and
12 languages. Over the years, Professor Haraldsson
the University of Freiburg,
has been invited across the world to give over one
Germany.
He
furthered
hundred academic talks which are highly appreciated
his
in
psychology
by his fellow colleagues, as well as by the general
study
and obtained a Diploma in
public.........(To be Continued)
Psychology from the University

of Munich, Germany, and a
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an artist, an engineer,
[Remarks:
a mathematician and
1. Erik H. Erikson One
an inventor. He had
of the most famous and
endless curiosity and
influential persons of the
creativity, and so he
neo-Freudian approach.
became an artist of
He had extended the
the ideal type in the
inspiration derived from
Renaissance
psychoanalysis into other
Moreover, he was also
cultural areas, such as
one of the most famous
studies on children, the
artists and painters in world history. Together with
psycho-biography of great men, and the medium
Michelangelo and Raffaello Sanzio, they were
of psychology and socio-dynamics. He has
came to be known as the Three Genius of the
specifically developed the concepts of identity and
Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci, all through his
identity crisis, which has affected the professional
life, had followed the path of scientific logic and
domain of social sciences. His three major
truthfulness in searching for the ideals of creativity
contributions are: (1) besides the development of
and aesthetics in the arts.
period.
sexual psychology, an individual also experiences

the
3. Dr. Chao Co-Shi Holder
development of ego. (2) Personality development
of a B.Sc. in Nursing
is a continuous process throughout ones whole
from the National Taiwan
lifetime. (3) The consequences on each of the
University,
stages of ones development could either be
Oncology
Nursing
positive or negative. Hid book on Childhood and
a Ph.D. in Hospice (or
Society was considered the most famous book
Palliative Care) from the
in 1950, and was appointed a full professorship
Case
at Harvard University in 1960. In 1969, he was
University, USA. She had worked as a nurse in
awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the contribution of
the National Taiwan University Hospital, was a
his research work on Gandhi. He has brought new
teacher and also the Head of Practical Training
stimulations and framework for psychoanalysis,
at the Cardinal Tien College of Nursing. She was
and has successfully introduced the Freudian
one of the founders of the Catholic Sanipax Socio-
approach to a new area of development, in
Medical Service and its Education Foundation. She
which he showed his great concern to behaviors
is currently teaching as a Professor in the Medical
due to social and cultural impacts, and has thus
School of National Cheng Kung University.
socio-psychological
development
and
Western
M.Sc.
in
and
Reserve
integrated the disciplines of psychology, sociology

and anthropology together in mapping out the
Dr. Chao Co-Shi was born in 1948 and her hometown
future direction of personality psychology.
was in the province of Zhejiang. She has more than

37 years of nursing experiences in service. It was
2. Leonardo da Vinci (also known as Leonardo di ser
back in 1987 when she was extremely shocked
Pier da Vinci, 1452-1519) An Italian. He was an
by the suicides of eight terminal cancer patients,
important and influential figure and intellectual in
and had eye-witnessed the miserable scenes of
many fields during the period of the Renaissance.
patients hanging themselves to deaths, as they
At the same time, he was an architect, an anatomist,
could not withstand the physical and mental

11
Issue no. 33
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torments. She kept asking herself as to what
Socrates believed that wisdom could be derived
could be done to help these people? Hence, with
from knowledge, and could also be transmitted
strong determination, she left her nursing career,
in the form of knowledge. For his persistence
and went for further studies abroad in Hospice
on the upholding of truth, Socrates was forced to
(or palliative care) for those dying patients who
commit suicide by poisoning himself. Socrates
have suffered from all sorts of torments. Expensive
was a humorous person. Due to his utmost deep
tuition fees and living costs had stalled her pace
understanding of death, he was always in a most
for a while, but with concerted efforts, she finally
relaxed and cheerful mood at any time. At the last
made it. During the course of her studies and
moment in facing his death, his disciples could not
practical training in the States for five years, she
help but crying out loudly, but he was still giving
had visited over fifty hospice organizations in
sparkling sayings that had diluted the poignant
USA, and had six visited Britain which is the cradle
atmosphere. One of the disciples suggested to
of hospice care, in collecting numerous valuable
him that should change his worn-out long gown,
materials and documents. After returning home to
but he insisted not to and said: I have been
Taiwan, upon her completion of study in 1993, Dr.
wearing this old worn clothes while alive, so would
Chao then unveiled the page of hospice service in
I not be able to see God if I am still wearing it? His
Taiwan which she has focused all her efforts of her
last words to Crito were like this: Crito, I still owe
entire life.
Asclepius a cock, and so please do not forget to

return it to him. From this, we can have a glimpse
4 Socrates He was the
of his composed and fearless attitude towards
first of the Three Greek
death.
Philosophers in history,
and together with Plato and
The newly-released book on The Meanings
Aristotle, they founded the
of Near-Death Experiences (1) has been
philosophical
foundation
published. Its contents include the articles on
of Western culture and
The Meanings of the Near-Death Experiences
civilization. Circero said
from Issues 1 to 10 of the Lake of Lotus.
that: Scorates brought

philosophy from heaven
The newly-released book on The Meanings of
to the human realm. Since he was born during
Near-death Experiences (2) The Key Points
the chaotic wartime period in ancient Greece, the
at the Moment of Death and the Essential
value of morality was very low. Thus, Socrates
Revelations of the Tibetan Book of the Dead
believed that, in order to maintain the ethical
has been published. Its contents include the
elements while living under such situations,
articles on The Meanings of the Near-Death
everybody must have to know oneself, which
Experiences from Issues 11 to 20 of the Lake
was also the starting point of his own philosophy.
of Lotus.]
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Lake of Lotus (33) - The Profound Abstruseness of Life and Death-The Meaning of NDEs (33) - by Vajra Master Pema Lhadren-Dudjom Buddhist Association

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Lake of Lotus (33) - The Profound Abstruseness of Life and Death-The Meaning of NDEs (33) - by Vajra Master Pema Lhadren-Dudjom Buddhist Association

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The Profound Abstruseness of

Life and Death

Why Should Death Be a Must Task for Life-long Learning?

Excerpt of Last Chapter: Various Reasons on

1. The Separation of the Four Elements the main cause (the

4th Floor, Federal Centre, 77 Sheung On Street, Chaiwan, Hong Kong

2. The Endorphins Inside the Brain the main

2. Strange places: (i) good ones saw pavilions, bal-

cause (the internal consciousness and sub-

conies, buildings, flower fields, rivers, light zones,

consciousness) conjoins with the auxiliary con-

ditions (the endorphins inside the brain of the

(ii) bad ones saw wilderness, forests, darkness,

the moment of death (please refer to the article

on The Meaning of Near-death Experiences in

3. Messy Issues that cannot be recalled clearly.

3. The Karmic Forces the main

How would the Buddhist point of view

ness and sub-consciousness)

comment on these phenomena? Ac-

conjoins with the auxiliary condi-

cording to the Buddhist teachings, it

tions (the karmic forces of the

was said that rebirth would take place

external circumstances) in form-

within forty-nine days after a person

ing the scenes at the moment of

has passed away, then why would a

death. This can be further classi-

dying person see the kith and kin who

fied into the following two kinds:

had passed away long time ago still

i. Wholesome Ones arising

had not the kith and kin taken rebirths

from: (a) virtuous retributions

after so many years posthumously?

(please refer to the article on

Are the appearances of these deceased persons

The Meaning of Near-death Experiences in

merely the illusions of the person who is going to die?

Issue 21 of the Lake of Lotus); and (b) the ef-

Or were they really true? Are there any other reasons?

forts of ones Dharma practice (the main theme

Are those strange places the destinations where they

of this article in this issue).

ii. Unwholesome Ones arising from: (a) vicious

be negatively encumbered? Is there any way to help

retributions; and (b) the forces of karmic credi-

a deceased person to avert sufferings and elevate to

tors in seeking compensations on ones karmic

a better place of rebirth?

sciousness (please refer to the article The Wisdom in

the dying people had seen the following scenes:

Directing Ones Dharma Practice in Issue 26 of the

1. Protectors or avengers: (i) good ones saw kith and

1. Beta waves the conscious condition of daily living;

deities or Buddhas coming to fetch for oneself

tion, such as in entering into the elementary stage of

cious persons or beasts, and going along in

visualization, or at the first stage of mental concen-

company with groups of people who looked

tration; or the condition when the spiritual body is