Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Stream-winner is fearless at death


A well-instructed disciple of the noble ones, when endowed with these four qualities* [the factors of stream-entry]:

1. Has no terror

2. No trepidation

3. No fear at death with regard to the next life

— SN 55.27

Then there is the case of the person who has no doubt or perplexity, who has arrived at certainty with regard to the True Dhamma. Then he comes down with a serious disease. As he comes down with a serious disease, the thought occurs to him:

I have no doubt or perplexity.

I have arrived at certainty with regard to the True Dhamma.

He doesn't grieve, isn't tormented; doesn't weep, beat his breast, or grow delirious.

This, too, is a person who, subject to death, is not afraid or in terror of death.

AN 4.184

* See lables: Stream-winner

No comments: