Expert: Bodhicitta - 2/16/2005

Question
You wrote of various practices to link up to the pure unconditional joy and love that survives death. I would like to know more about these practises. I realize the joy and love of people is very transient and a cause of suffering. I would like to spend more effort on the pure joy. I feel a little of this when I mediate and follow the path.
Thank you so much for helping,
Lydia
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Followup To
Question -
Hello,
Thank you so much for volunteering and helping others follow the path.
Recently our family cat had a stroke. For one and half days, we kept the kitty hydrated and we were thinking about how to feed the cat. The cat couldn't see or move. Everyone told me it was better to put the cat to sleep. I understood this because of the quality of life was gone. However, I was troubled by my readings of respecting all life, even a bug's. Luckily the cat past on. If the cat stayed in that condition for days, what would be the right thing to do?
Thank you,
Lydia
Answer -
Hi Lydia,
Thanks for yoru question.

Always difficult to make hard and fast rules about these situations. In someways really the important thing is the experience you and your family have and your willingless to work with that in an open way. Of course the cat is also part of that experience so we have to use what wisdom we have about that too.

There are a number of aspects to dealing with death.

Firstly being open to the truth of it. Death and impermance are a reality. They are happening all around us in this confused world we are in. When a loved one - person or pet is sick and dieing that reality is there in front of us. There is a tendency to turn away and not
look this reality in the face. Caring for a loved one or animal and being an honest friend with them and the situation is good for our openness.Turn towards it and be open to it. Have an honest relationship with it. This is a prime opportunity to practice the dharma, it is the compassionate activity of the dharma allowing us to practise in this way.

The next question is what survives death? The joy or love  of something or someone is very transient and dies moment by moment. But pure unconditioned joy and love doesnt depend on anything.It survives death.  We should try and link into this. There are various practices which you could do to link to this.

The question of whether to put a cat to sleep or not is difficult. In general Buddhists would say that while a being has a mind that that is clear and open then there are benefits in being alive and in the connection with the human realm were enlightenment is possible. So the fact the cat is making connections with you and your family is tremendously positive. However if the suffering reached a point that the pain is very strong and they are on the brink of death then maybe the animal has gone beyond having a positive situation. this really is a judgment call to be made by you as someone  who
has a selfless love for the animal. You need to be advised by the vetenary people who are advising you and any dharma friends or teachers you feel connected to. No one can tell you the answer though. your call!

I think something that seems negative to me is when someone has their animal put down because they are no longer flavour of the month, either through old age or illness. They want to some how hide the truth of impermance, old age and death rather than be open to it. This is a problem for the person involved not the animal.

Anyways like everything in dharma there are no clear answers. We arent enlightened right? We are training to be more wise and more compassionate. We trust our hearts and do the best we can and thats ok.

Metta
Bodhicitta  

Answer
Hi Lydia
Thanks for your follow on question.

I am interested to know where you live, which country and where if you are prepared to tell me? I get so many messages now from all around the world. Including some regulars!

In the Mahayana Buddhist schools of Buddhism there are practices that link with developing Wisdom such as meditation on emptiness and there are practices that link more with the devotional aspect openning out to the qualities of love and compassion. To move on the path its necessary to work with both of these.

Really the answer to your question is that you would need to find a qualified teacher in Mahayana buddhism who  can inspire you and teach you correctly so that you can   link into practice.

The traditional practices for linking into love and compassion are called the Apramanas. There are four
areas to work with. Unconditioned love, unconditioned compassion, unconditioned joy and unconditioned equanimity. You work with these with yourself, people you can easily feel a link to, people you are indifferent with and people who are you enemies. You also extend these qualities out through vast space.

There is also the practice of exchanging one self for others which is called Tonglen in Tibetan Buddhism. In this practice one thinks that all good qualities move from your heart to others and all their suffering comes to you.

You would need proper instruction and grounding to do these practices as there are various stages to getting the right view of how to do them. there are various wrong ways of doing it to. Thats why a teacher is important if you are doing any meditation practice.

I wish you well.
Bodhicitta