Question
Everyone gets old, everyone gets sick, everyone dies. So what exactly is the difference at the time of death between an enligthened person and a regular person ?
what exactly does enlightenment bring us, since we will die anyway ? Why then sit so much, why not get lost in sensual pleasures, since all of us awaits same faith ?
Please explain my questions, especially the first one, thank you.
Anonymous
Answer from Master Kosen
I would guess, as actually who can pretend to be illuminated or awakened, does illumination or awakening exist, well, what could be any difference between someone knowing his life, his mind, having already abandonned lots of attachments, someone with some understanding and maybe also inhabitated with some wisdom, at the time of his death compared with someone having no knowledge of his own world.
The first one in principe understands that death is natural, that if there is life, it is bound to be also death. So with a bit of luck he may die peacefully, or not resisting to death from his entire body and mind. Would the second one have the same sort of quiet go ? Maybe, maybe not.
The important thing anyway is that life is entirely life, and death entireley death. Life does not know death , and death does not know life. For the moment we are alive. What to do with our lives is important, now.
To look for what enlightenment will do for you is just a question that you would ask thinking that enlightenment is something special, that you should possess. If you want to get fully into desires, do it, at one point at the end that will not satisfy you anymore. Everything you will look for, will not satisfy you fully at the end. That's why. Look for something which deeply satisfies you fully, entirely, which fill you up with joy, happiness, light and love and compassion for all and compare it with what you can get in jumping in all desires. You will see clearly the difference.
Kosen