In the Lamrim, there is what is known as the nine fold contemplation on death. This has three main points and each of the three has three sub points. I will list and try to explain them:

The main points are:

1. Contemplating death’s certainty.
2. Contemplating the uncertainty of the time of death.
3. Contemplating that at the time of death nothing but the dharma will be of any use.

The first has three parts:

• It is certain that the Lord of Death will come and that nothing whatsoever can turn him back.
• Life span cannot be extended and it shortens unceasingly.
• Dying without having had the time to practise the teaching while alive.

As part of this first set of contemplation we should understand that there is nobody around us who has lived for ever. Lifespan maybe increasing due to better healthcare but immortality is still nowhere in the scientific horizon. Moreover death can come in many ways, Old-age, illness, accidents or wars can bring us death.

The second, contemplating the uncertainty of the time of death, has three parts:

• In this world in general and in the degenerate age in particular life span is uncertain.
• Time of death is uncertain as the causes of death are many and those sustaining life few.
• Time of death is uncertain also as bodies are very fragile.

The second contemplation is about the time of death. I could pass away by the end of this sentence or may be not. There is no telling. In fact we are constantly moving towards death from the moment of our conception.

The third, contemplating that at the time of death nothing but the dharma will be of any use, has three parts:
Contemplating that

• Wealth is useless.
• Friends and relatives will be useless.
• And even your body will be useless.

Finally we should understand that our understanding of dharma and the Karma that we accumulate is the only thing that will help us during the time of our death.

This according to the Lamrim is the primary way to contemplate on death. And it will provide us with the primary motivation to practice the dharma.

Death itself is the grossest manifestation of Impermanence. This should be followed with contemplation on subtle Impermanence and how things arise and pass away from moment to moment.

In the Lamrim, there is what is known as the nine fold contemplation on death. This has three main points and each of the three has three sub points. I will list and try to explain them:

The main points are:

1. Contemplating death’s certainty.
2. Contemplating the uncertainty of the time of death.
3. Contemplating that at the time of death nothing but the dharma will be of any use.

The first has three parts:

• It is certain that the Lord of Death will come and that nothing whatsoever can turn him back.
• Life span cannot be extended and it shortens unceasingly.
• Dying without having had the time to practise the teaching while alive.

As part of this first set of contemplation we should understand that there is nobody around us who has lived for ever. Average lifespan maybe increasing due to better healthcare but immortality is still nowhere in the scientific horizon. Moreover there is a concept of your karmic lifespan, this cannot be extended and death can come in many ways, Old-age, illness, accidents or wars can bring us death.

The second, contemplating the uncertainty of the time of death, has three parts:

• In this world in general and in the degenerate age in particular life span is uncertain.
• Time of death is uncertain as the causes of death are many and those sustaining life few.
• Time of death is uncertain also as bodies are very fragile.

The second contemplation is about the time of death. I could pass away by the end of this sentence or may be not. There is no telling. In fact we are constantly moving towards death from the moment of our conception.

The third, contemplating that at the time of death nothing but the dharma will be of any use, has three parts:
Contemplating that

• Wealth is useless.
• Friends and relatives will be useless.
• And even your body will be useless.

Finally we should understand that our understanding of dharma and the Karma that we accumulate is the only thing that will help us during the time of our death.

This according to the Lamrim is the primary way to contemplate on death. And it will provide us with the primary motivation to practice the dharma.

Death itself is the grossest manifestation of Impermanence. This should be followed with contemplation on subtle Impermanence and how things arise and pass away from moment to moment.