What is mindfulness, how to properly meditate?VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=VIETNAMESE BUDDIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.

 The two words “guardians” are meant to help the dying person to have mindfulness. This word mindfulness, which means mindfulness. In other words, we help (protect) them to remember (recite) Buddha, which is synonymous with the mind to recite Buddha's name, because reciting Buddha's mind is the righteous person to become Buddha.

Question:  I heard that the protection of rebirth, especially for the dying person, is about to die, but I do not understand how to protect the righteous thoughts? and how can the dead benefit from birth? Please gladly teach us to understand.

Answer:  This is a very important issue for those who follow  the Pure Land practice , recite the Buddha's name to die. For those whose pure karma has mastered, in present they recite the Buddha's name, they can recite Tam Muoi Buddha, that is, they have one-pointed unrest, the Holy scene is already present, the protection of mindfulness is not necessary. Because they have passed away in the present life. In fact, in this end of the world, for these people it is not easy. That must be the upper level of wisdom to have.

In addition, if this is not the case, the moment of dying, for meditating or supporting recitation is essential, we should also learn carefully about this issue.

Within the confines of the scope of the questionnaire page, we are unable to give all of the details. Here, we would like to present only a brief overview of the problem.  

Human life, when it is about to die, or at the end of a bare road, there are 3 ways to go. One is to go straight to the Holy Way, to pass the instant birth of Pole Bliss, this path is only for those who are very good. Two is the path to the good path and the third the path to the evil way. The path to a good path, although there is a good little misery, is still around in the spiritual or spiritual path. The third is the path to evil path, this is the path of eternal suffering, but no one wants to enter. Although I do not want to, but the current evil karma has caused, how should I avoid it? So for the latter two classes of people, the protection of mindfulness in the moment of dying is very important. But how to protect thoughts so that the dying person can benefit from birth? That is what the person acting as a guardian to help those who are dying, think, should also know through. 

Two words  that mean that help the dying person to have mindfulness. This word mindfulness, which means mindfulness. In other words, we help (support) them remember (recite) Buddha, which is synonymous with the mind to recite Buddha's name, because reciting Buddha's mind is the righteous person to become Buddha. Because we want to remind the patient to always remember the Buddha, but not to remember conditions and conditions, because remembering conditions of the world is losing mindfulness or pure mindfulness, it is very hindering to death. Therefore, the guardian reciting is a floating buoy for the dying sick person to depend on. Because at this time, the patient with limbs aches and discomfort, if the person is suffering from a terminal illness, such as cancer, the torture of the body, because the pain is raging is hard to describe. Therefore, their mentality is easy to be distracted, even though normally, they have diligently reciting the Buddha's name, but because they have not reached the point of mastery, they are easily distracted. Because of that, they really need others to help them recite. Now, The patient completely loses all self-control, gets confused, thinks about his memory, it is difficult to focus on the Buddha's phrase. So the meditator must help them focus their spirit on mindfulness by sincerely reciting the Buddha's name.

What we should remember, the sick person has just stopped breathing, but has not really died, the consciousness has not completely left the body, at least 2 hours, so this moment, is still very necessary for the protection of mindfulness. , recite Buddha's name. 

Whether the patient is born or not, apart from the righteous people cultivating their day, it is largely thanks to this moment of protection. Therefore, relatives or descendants in a family are the main factors that prevent a loved one from falling into misery. If this important moment, but relatives or friends, do not know how to protect and recite Buddha's name, not only will not recite the Buddha's mind to help their relatives to have more mindfulness, on the contrary, they also cause them more confusion and anxiety. sadness etc… it is extremely dangerous. Therefore, if people truly love their relatives, then they should just put their hands together earnestly and  sincerely recite the Buddha's name . 
In addition, do not have an attitude or words that offend the dying patient. Because now more than ever, the sick people often give birth to anger and anger.

The best way at this moment, should have at least someone who knows how to help recite, to help guide things to relatives and friends. This man is very necessary. Because of the dying person's relatives, everyone is very confused, worried and sad, so they are no longer calm enough to help recite and help the patient. 

Therefore, according to our experience, there must be someone who understands everything to stay beside the patient, while reminding the patient to recite the Buddha's name, and at the same time admonishing the mind with words of context, alertness, to get sick. Nhon increases the power of faith and is easier to meditate in Buddha's mind. Therefore, these meditators must take turns reciting Buddha's name continuously, depending on the circumstances, but skillfully use means to help the sick and in relatives. This is very, very important. The guardian must have compassion and patience towards the patient. It is the manifestation of the lofty benevolent compassion of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. 
In short, in order for the protection of mindfulness of birth to achieve high results, according to our opinion, it is necessary to meet the necessary conditions to perform through three important factors as follows:

I. The guardian 
II. Patient.
III. Relatives.

I. The guardian.

For the one  who recites,  plays a very important role in the protection of mindfulness, so it is necessary to understand this mindfulness. Here are the things the guardian should know:

1. It is advisable to advise relatives and arrange all necessary things while protecting the dying sick person. Worst of all is causing disturbance to cry in this hour. Those who cannot help but feel moved, it is better to invite them to step outside, not to let the sick to hear the cry.
2. Attitude and manner, especially words for the patient must be gentle and sweet, so they should encourage the sick to recite Buddha's name and need to recall deeds performed by the sick person.
3. In addition to reciting the Buddha's name and recommending the sick person, absolutely not saying anything else, but causing the patient to be unhappy, easily lose her faith and become distracted.
4. Depending on the situation, the situation where the patient lies, but flexibly recite the Buddha's name loudly or in a low voice, it is better to just recite Buddha's name for the patient to hear, not too small and not too loud. According to experience, at this time, the more you recite loudly, the more sick the patient is. It is better to recite just enough for the patient to hear. And when reciting, to recite all 6 words: Namo Amitabha Buddha. Must recite slowly and clearly every word.
5. To take turns reciting the Buddha's name continuously without interruption, it is necessary to encourage relatives to take turns reciting the Buddha's name. In the hospital room, in addition to the recitation of Buddha's name, absolutely must keep quiet, do not talk loudly and disturb the patient's mind in vain.
6. When the patient has really stopped breathing, so that he sincerely recites Buddha's name continuously, should not fix the patient, at least 2 hours. This is very important, we need to pay attention. Because when the patient stops breathing, the consciousness has not left the body. There should be great care in this regard. There are many other details, but here, we would just like to point out 6 important things that the giver should keep in mind while protecting.

II. Patient.

The sick person is the key factor in making decisions about his life. This is an important moment for me to decide for my choice. If you are a friend who has made a vow to recite the Buddha's death, during a serious illness, you should let go of all conditions, not bothered with any problems, especially with family and children, etc. ... No one loves me by loving me. Before the split-split moment, even if it was the most loved one in their life, they could not replace anything for themselves. 

In the despairing loneliness, death close to me, then try to ask me what else I am still greedy to miss! Thinking like that, I should put all my energy and strength into my mind and still have a little bit of devastation and be determined to recite the Buddha's name to pray to the West, according to my vow to be born. Remember the counsel of Venerable Master Thien Dao, the second Patriarch of Lien Tong. He often advised to teach those who practice the Pure Land, recite the Buddha's name as follows: "If the person reciting the Buddha's name when he is about to finish his life, if he wants to be born in the Pure Land, the weak point is not to be afraid of death. Must often think this body is filthy, so many things are bounded! If you can leave the stinking body, you will  return to Pole Bliss pure vajra body life, will be free from samsara, suffering from joy and happiness. For example, giving up a torn old shirt for a costume, what else is more appropriate! Thinking like that, let go of the body and mind no longer worry about attachment. When I got sick, I immediately thought about impermanence, a mind reciting Buddha's name waiting to die. Should tell relatives not to show compassion, discuss the same or bad at home. If anyone comes to visit, just advise because I recite the Buddha's name, do not ask for anything else ... ". 

That is, we quote a reminder of Him, so that we can remember and recite the Buddha's name wholeheartedly. It should be known that the Tao Dao is the reincarnation of  Buddha Amitabha. His teaching is truly compassionate. This is the general advice of the Patriarch, not necessarily only related. If anyone obeys this teaching of Him, but sincerely practice earnestly, recite the Buddha's heart wholeheartedly, it will also benefit from rebirth in Dewachen. 

Please all think of the future of happiness or suffering in your life, but you have to try to let go of everything, there is only one way ahead is to recite the Buddha's rebirth in Dewachen. Remember the Vow of Venerable Amitabha, He is always ready to wait for us. That is the main focus that the dying patient needs to remember practice in order to benefit himself.

III. Relatives.

Whether the patient's mindfulness is passed away or not, the people in his or her relatives play an equally important role. If we really love our relatives in this moment of deciding this happy or miserable life, just as the Buddha taught us, we would like to have a few general recommendations through some of the following essential things:

1. Must show loving-kindness and absolutely do not use words that dissonance in the family. Absolutely, should not bring housework to discuss. If you let the sick person know about uncommon events, it will cause great harm to the birth, because the sick person will be depressed, greed, anger, and delusion will arise and fall into evil like a shot.
2. Must do and obey the reminder and arrangements of the person responsible for protecting their relatives. These people, because of their relatives, wholeheartedly support them, so we need to respect their advice.
3. Should not cry loudly and tell the ceremony anything, just one side recite the Buddha's name. Must try to get emotional in this moment. Remember, this is an important factor that the newcomer can pass away or not, depending on the relative.
4. All should be for the deceased that must sincerely recite the Buddha's name, chant the super sutras during the time from death to 49 days.
5. During the mourning period, it is advisable to cultivate many blessings to dedicate the deceased soon to be liberated.

Particularly for friends and friends, we should also pay attention. As a saying is, "a horse hurts the whole ship and does not eat grass". Or "the most popular of the family". That is: one family has a hundred jobs that are interested in helping out. Because of that, when he heard that his close friend was seriously ill, his friends often came to visit him. Visiting is because you think of love. Therefore, if you really love your friend in this important moment, you should only join forces with others to recite the Buddha's name in unison. If we are not used to reciting, then we should not say anything else. Because of that, just making your friend waiting to die will only add to mental turmoil, and it won't be of any use. 
So, if we really love our friend, then we should just keep quiet is fine. Well, not only the sick people benefit, but also the relatives of the sick people are also very grateful to us. Please all pay attention to this matter. Do not because of our emotional habits that harm the sick person, need our practical assistance. If not, then very sorry for our friend! They are yearning for our help, just as the drowning man expects us to save them. Looking forward to it! END=NAM MO SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).GOLDEN AMITABHA MONASTERY=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.4/9/2020.