Learn not to fear death

By CARTER HAYDU, Edmonton Sun, August 26, 2007

Two-day End of Life Care Conference provided discussion platform

Edmonton, Canada -- Death has been a central topic in the life of Edmonton's Bernice Teasdale for almost a decade.

In 1999, doctors diagnosed the retired schoolteacher, who already suffered from a lung disorder at the time, with lupus,idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura and myelodysplastic syndrome.

Doctors told her she would be dead within five years. "I had a tremendous fear of dying," Teasdale said.

Then she met Dr. Steven Aung, a local physician who practices integrated medicine. It was while receiving acupuncture treatment from Aung that Teasdale learned of the Buddhist approach to death and how not to be afraid.

"He taught me that life was precious and to look at the big picture and live on a daily basis."

Rather than simply dreading her own demise, Teasdale decided to study how other people prepare for death.

Since then, she has outlived her original prognosis, which she credits partially to the spiritual guidance of her acupuncturist.

Aung, who is also president of the International Buddhist Friends Association, shared his beliefs to a crowd of religious leaders and health-care professionals, as well as those dying or interested in death during the Interfaith End of Life Care Conference on the grounds outside the Chin Yin Buddhist Temple, Friday and yesterday.

Representatives from 15 spiritual traditions, including Muslims, Christians, Hindus and First Nations, spoke at the north Edmonton conference.

Aung said it's important for people who are dying, or who work with the dying, to learn how best to prepare for life's end.

From listening to other speakers at the conference, Aung said he learned all religions have a similar message - that death isn't a bad thing.

Although fear often clouds people's perceptions, Aung said dying, in reality, is a blessing. He said it can be like a well-earned end to a life well-lived. "It's like you studied and passed the exam."

In the Buddhist tradition of reincarnation, Aung said people are reborn into another life after death, correcting the wrongs from previous lives until their Karma is clean.

Aung said Buddhism, as with any faith represented at the conference, teaches the importance of preparing for a peaceful end to life.

He said part of the role of any religious leader, in any faith, is to assure the dying that a good place awaits them.

Dealing with death appropriately is an important goal for anyone, Aung said, because eventually everyone dies.

From the conference, Teasdale said she learned the importance of encouraging the dying to discuss their feelings on death.

In recent months, Teasdale, 60, has found renewed interest in the topic of death. She was diagnosed with lymphoma in January.

Over the past eight years, fortunately, Teasdale said she has learned to face mortality with more courage and spiritual grounding. However, she's still uncertain what to expect after death.

"I can't decide whether there's a rebirth or a heaven."

We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot
NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.


Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team


Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv


TOP