Death & Dying: A Meditation Workshop

Live Your Best Life, Die a Good Death

We make detailed preparations to ensure a smooth and pleasant passage when embarking on a journey. We think about it carefully, from checking in at the airport, getting through immigration and customs, and making sure our hotel rooms are booked. All this is just for a holiday or business trip.

However, when it comes to the journey of our life, which ends in death, we’re generally unprepared. Perhaps it’s the fear of death itself that stops us from contemplating it. Instead, we distract ourselves with attachments, daily activities, work, family and relationships. In the end though, death comes to claim us whether we are prepared or not.

“Of all the footprints, that of the elephant is supreme. Similarly, of all mindfulness meditations, that on death is supreme.”
– Buddha –

Death is a universal meditation topic and a teaching that exists within all Buddhist traditions. In fact, it’s a universal experience that applies to everyone — Buddhists, non-Buddhists and freethinkers. And while contemplating on death may appear to be morbid, the benefits are surprisingly far-reaching. They can be felt in daily life. It’s all about living well, rather than dying.

Death & Dying is a two-day guided meditation workshop to help you make the most of your life. Our sangha and senior pastors will introduce you to the Buddhist forms of death meditation and guide you through experiential exercises designed to transform your perspective of life and death. Whether you’re new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this workshop is for you.

2024 Dates

• 9 – 10 November 2024 (Sat – Sun)

2025 Dates

• 22 – 23 November 2025 (Sat – Sun)

Registration closes 3 days before the retreat start date.

Programme Outline

Suggested Donation

If you’re choosing a residential package, we recommend that you check the availability of your preferred room type before making payment as rooms are limited.

What’s Included?

• Detailed explanations of the traditional contemplations
• Guided meditation sessions
• Experiential sessions
• Video introduction to Buddhist meditation (pre-recorded)
• Audio recordings of the guided meditations (post-event)
• Workshop materials
• Pastor service & support
• Comfortable accommodation in our guesthouses
• Vegetarian meals

As a not-for-profit organisation, we do our best to make our programmes available at a reasonable rate. The fees also support the cost of facilities, sanitising of premises and overheads.

What to Bring

• Notebook and pen
• Water tumbler
• Comfortable clothing that allows you to sit cross-legged on a meditation cushion
• A shawl or sweater in case you feel cold
• Sunscreen and mosquito repellent if you’d like to explore the temple grounds
• Medication or antihistamines if you have allergies to pollen, etc.
• Face masks, face shield and hand sanitiser (optional)

Benefits of Death Meditation

Meditating on death helps us realise who we really are. We start appreciating all that we have, and this transforms our outlook in life. We’ll find it easier to forgive, and our focus will naturally shift towards things more worthwhile, like developing meaningful relationships and prioritising spiritual progress. Death meditation has the immense transformative power to awaken all of these qualities within us.

Furthermore, Buddha recommended meditation on death as a method to realise impermanence, a cornerstone teaching needed for the development of true wisdom. It’s also the first meditational topic of the Lamrim teachings, which is a step-by-step guide to complete spiritual awakening.

“Death meditation brings many positive results.
You will find it easier to forgive and let go of past wrongs.
You will find it easier to change your negative habits.
You will find it easier to move ahead, plan and execute.
You will have less depression and loneliness.
You will have more harmony with loved ones.
You will be enthusiastic for spiritual work, practice, learning and thinking.
You will have a sense of urgency to do more meaningful activities in your life and with your life.”
– Tsem Rinpoche –

Important Notes

• To enhance your experience, you’re encouraged to minimise the distractions of daily life. This includes using electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops throughout the course.
• Room sharing arrangements are subject to availability.
• Cancellation Policy: A partial refund will be issued for cancellations made at least five working days before the course start date. An administration fee of RM50 will be charged. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than five days before the course start date.
• If sign ups for a particular language do not meet the minimum threshold, the programme in that language will be cancelled. You are welcome to join a different language group; otherwise your registration fee will be refunded.
• The management reserves the right to amend the programme and/or revise prices without prior notice.