Prepared to Die Now?

In the forum, a fellow dhamma user posted the question if we are ready to Die now? And there is a poll for it with most of the posters choosing the option "Come what may ..let go", one choosing "Somehow ready" and no one choosing options "not yet, still thinking i am in the pink of health..." or "I need some time !!!!"

Here's some of the replies posted online to this topic -

1) This is a taboo question in many people , but death can happen to us anytime , anywhere
Being a Buddhist , one should let go when the Time comes and Reflect on what one have done and not done and Wholeheartedly preparation for the afterlife

2) 西藏度亡经 retell by Yi FanYi Fan is a very great writer with excellent writing skill, making very brilliant examples to make reader understand the profound parts. if anyone is holding this book, pls turn to page 131-143where Guru Rinpoche impart the heart of Enlightenment. it is a key! If one can understand and apply that into daily practice, step by step...the result will be far beyond what we can imagine.

3) I've live a full life so if my time is up, I have no regrets in crossing over. Though I do wonder who'll take care of my funeral arrangements and if I'll have a wake as my immediate and extended family are all Christians.

Below was my reply to this topic and i wish it has helped in someway to stress the importance of impermanence and the art of living here and now.

Nope, i do not think i will ever be fully prepared to die, at least not in the near future that i can forsee (although i'm not saying we cannot prepare for it). The truth is sometimes while lying down on the bed and i will just wonder what is it going to be like after death? And the stark reality is i do not know at all depsite all that we can learn and read or even hear about it from various people and masters.

I recalled once reading a short passage about a student asking the master what is it like after death? Will they go to Pureland? Will they be re-born? How can they be sure that there's a rebirth and it will not be nothing after death? The master simply smiled and replied that he does not know and will only know on the day he passes away. A very truthful and insightful answer by the master and we know that the master is absolutely right.

The more i reflect upon death, the less fearful i become of it but at the same time, the more i found myself inadequate in preparation. Embracing this feeling of inadequacy, it allows and reminds me the importance of impermanence, the importance of living here and now, in the present moment - to learn to think, speak and act with loving kindness and wisdom whenever possible, allowing me to develop internally and externally, helping in the betterment of the lives for both myself and those around me.

Below are some quotes from Master Thich Nhat Hanh that stressed the importance of impermanence and living in the present moment.

"If we really understood and remembered that life was impermanent, we would do everything we could to make the other person happy right here and right now. If we spend twenty-four hours being angry at our beloved, it is because we are ignorant of impermanence"

"Whatever you do or say in a state of anger will only cause more damage in the relationship. Instead, try not to do anything or say anything when you are angry."

with metta