One Who Develops Mindfulness of Death Diligently for The Destruction of the Taints

Monks, mindfulness of death, when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit, culminating in the deathless (Enlightenment), having the deathless as its conclusion. But do you, Monks, develop mindfulness of death?

When this was said, one Monk said to The Perfectly Enlightened One:

‘Venerable Sir, I develop mindfulness of death.’

Monks, the Monk who develops mindfulness of death thus: ‘May I live just a night and a day so that I may attend to The Perfectly Enlightened One’s Teaching. I could then accomplish much!’; ... ‘May I live just a day so that I may attend to The Perfectly Enlightened One’s Teaching. I could then accomplish much!’; ... ‘May I live just half a day so that I may attend to The Perfectly Enlightened One’s Teaching. I could then accomplish much!’; ... ‘May I live just the length of time it takes to eat a single almsfood meal so that I may attend to The Perfectly Enlightened One’s Teaching. I could then accomplish much!’; ... ‘May I live just the length of time it takes to eat half an almsfood meal so that I may attend to The Perfectly Enlightened One’s Teaching. I could then accomplish much!’; ... ‘May I live just the length of time it takes to chew and swallow four or five mouthfuls of food so that I may attend to The Perfectly Enlightened One’s Teaching. I could then accomplish much!’: these are called Monks who dwell carelessly. They develop mindfulness of death sluggishly for the destruction of the taints.

But the Monk who develops mindfulness of death thus: ‘May I live just the length of time it takes to chew and swallow a single mouthful of food so that I may attend to The Perfectly Enlightened One’s Teaching. I could then accomplish much!’; ... ‘May I live just the length of time it takes to breathe out after breathing in, or to breathe in after breathing out, so that I may attend to The Perfectly Enlightened One’s Teaching. I could then accomplish much!’: these are called Monks who reside determined. They develop mindfulness of death diligently for the destruction of the taints.

Therefore, Monks, you should train yourselves thus: We will reside determined. We will develop mindfulness of death diligently for the destruction of the taints. Thus should you train yourselves.

(Reference: AN 8.73)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that it is important to cultivate “mindfulness of death” or “awareness of death” as this is of “great fruit and benefit”.

In order to attain Enlightenment, a Practitioner would need to eliminate all fears including the fear of death. If the mind has fear, this is discontentedness being caused by craving/desire/attachment. An Enlightened mind would not experience discontentedness as all discontent feelings have been eradicated from the mind. An Enlightened being will not fear death. If there is craving/desire/attachment to this material world, the physical body, the people in this world, etc., the mind will experience fear of death.

A mind that fears death will not experience a permanent peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy because it is still “holding on” and, thus, fear is produced in the mind.

The Buddha then describes two different perspectives of Students. Those students who develop mindfulness of death “sluggishly” and those who develop mindfulness of death “diligently”.

Using an elongated timeframe, he describes Students focusing on his Teachings sluggishly and with complacency developing the mind towards the elimination of fear of death. Using a shortened timeframe, he describes Students focusing on his Teachings diligently and with energy developing the mind towards the elimination of fear of death.

Here, Gotama Buddha is encouraging Students to eliminate the fear of death and to do so with motivation, determination, diligence, and without delay. One of The Five Hindrances to Enlightenment is complacency and this will need to be eliminated from the mind to attain Enlightenment.

A sluggish approach to learning, reflecting, and practicing these Teachings would not produce the results of an Enlightened mind. But also, approaching and pursuing The Path to Enlightenment with craving/desire/attachment expecting or wanting immediate results would cause the mind to be discontent.

So, the solution is to train the mind towards Enlightenment by practicing “the middle way” where there is no sluggish complacency and no longing with a strong eagerness but instead motivation, determination, diligence, and enthusiasm with Enlightenment as a goal, interest, or objective. Progressing in this way will produce results.