Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)

by Ashin Janakabhivamsa | 66,666 words

English translation of "Abhidhamma in Daily Life" by Professor Ko Lay. Revised by Sayadaw U Silananda, International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, Yangon, 1999...

When a person is nearing death, he needs good javana cittas (wholesome impulses) about half an hour in advance. If these kusala though processes prevail till the last breath, the being will be reborn in happy abodes. If he has akusala javana cittas (unwholesome impulses) before death, he will be reborn in woeful abodes. Just as the finishing lap is important for a racing horse, the final consciousness is of great importance to any living being. Whether a person receives good or bad thoughts depends on the object of mind called arammana.

The Three Types of Arammana

Just before death, a being will see one of the three objects of mind, namely - (a) kamma, (b) kamma nimitta and (c) gati nimitta. Here kamma means reflection on good or bad deeds done by him in the past. Kamma nimitta indicates the utensils or instruments used in the doing of the good deed or evil. Gati nimitta is the vision of the abodes or plane of existence he will be reborn in.

a. How Kamma Arammana Appears

Past deeds and actions which are powerful to determine the next rebirth of a being may appear in vision just before death. These past deeds may be from past existences; of those done months, days or just hours or minutes ago.

If pasts deeds are kusala kamma such as observance of precepts or performance of Dana, one will see them as a reflection in a dream-like vision, or in an illusionary vision. The same goes for akusala kamma for instance, having committed killing, one remembers the deed or sees it in vision as if he is doing the killing just then.

b. How Kamma Nimitta Arammana Appears

Those who had killed others will see the weapons they had used - swords, daggers, nets, arrows, sticks, etc. as death vision. A butcher is said to see prophetic images of a great heap of cattle bones.

Those who had done immoral deeds such as stealing, adultery, etc., will see prophetic visions that correspond to their evil deeds.

Those who had done meritorious deeds such as building pagodas and monasteries will see vision of the pagodas and monasteries just before death or they may see offertories they had donated in association with their meritorious deeds of construction of pagodas and monasteries, i.e., robes, alms-bowl, flowers and incenses.

For those who had observed Síla or meditated on kammatthana will see visions of beads, clean clothes, meditation centers, sylvan resorts, etc. Those who had done other pious services will also see appropriate visions.

c. How Gati Nimitta Arammana Appears

At the proximate time of death, prophetic signs appear to indicate one’s next life. If you are going to be reborn a Deva, you will see Devas, celestial mansions, beautiful gardens, etc. if hell is your destiny, then you see black dogs, hellfire, or hell demons. Those who will becomes petas (hungry ghosts) will see forests and mountains and streams where they will dwell.

Facial Expressions

The facial expression of a dying person indicates his next rebirth. If his face is clear, cheerful he is sure to be reborn in higher abodes. A gloomy, sorrowful or stern face indicates rebirth in lower realms. [Some will smile in ecstasy of past sensual pleasures. Such smiles cannot be taken as good signs.]

Indication By Muttering

Sometimes a dying person mutters or murmurs indistinct words unconsciously. Once upon a time an old hunter, the father of the Arahat Sona, was ordained a monk after thirty years of hunting life. When he was about to die he saw black dogs charging at him in his death-visions. He repeatedly cries, “O son! Drive away the dogs.”

The Arahat Sona knew his father was seeing bad nimitta and would be reborn in hell. So he took his dying father to the pagoda platform and laid him on a bed of flowers. He then said, “On your behalf, I have offered flowers to the Buddha. Father, pay homage to the Enlightened One!” So his father clasped his hands in worship and paid respects. At that time celestial damsels came into his death-visions and he muttered, “I see your aunts (step mothers) coming. Please give them seats,” before he died. The Arahat Sona knew his father would be reborn a Deva.

Another Kind Of Gati Nimitta

Some person on their deathbeds happens to see the actual scenes of their next rebirth. In the time of the Gotama Buddha, Yevati, the wife of the rich man Nandiya, was haughty shrew. She had no faith in the Buddha and used to abuse Bhikkhus; her husband was an ardent devotee. When he died he became a Deva. When Yevati was about to die, two demons from hell dragged her up to the celestial abode and showed the luxury being enjoyed by Nandiya. Then they dragged her down to hell to punish her for her evil attitude.

During the Buddha’s time a pious devotee called Dhammika took refuge in the Three Jewels. He led a group of devotee and observed Síla. When his time came near, he listened to the sermons of Bhikkhus on his deathbed and saw six celestial chariots waiting overhead to take him to Deva loka. He also heard the Devas arguing as to who would take him on their chariot. He soon died and was conveyed in the Tushita chariot to the heavenly abode where he became a Deva.

For those who had swallowed by the earth on account of serious evil deeds, they directly felt the heat of Avici Hell fire here and now. Thus we see now that gati nimitta arammana appears in various modes. In our times too dying people hear music and get sweet aroma, also witnessed by those nearby. These gati nimitta together with kamma arammana and kamma nimitta appear as visions due to the power of good deeds done before.

Helping Good Arammana To Appear

When people suffering ill health are slowly dying a natural death, teachers, friends and relatives can help good arammana to appear in the vision of the dying person. When they are sure that the dying person cannot recover, they should maintain maximum cleanliness in the room and surrounding area and offer scented flowers intending for the Buddha. At night the whole room should be well illuminated. They should tell the dying person to visualize the flowers and candles offered on his behalf and ask him to delight in the good deed. They should also recite parittas (Suttas) at a time when his mind can still dwell on holy subjects. The patient should not feel disheartened and the people looking after him should show no grief. Recitations and reverential offerings should not be done only at the last moment before death, but should be performed in advance many days ahead. Only then the dying man will be suffused in thoughts of kusala action dedicated to the Buddha and Dhamma, smelling the sweet scent of flowers. Hearing the sounds of Dhamma, words of the Buddha for quite a few days.

Thus as the dying moment draws near while seeing the lights and flowers, smelling sweet scents, hearing the Dhamma words, the death consciousness will arise before these arammanas disappears. In consequence of these last minutes wholesome thoughts of kusala deeds, he is bound to be reborn in good abodes. Therefore teachers, friends and relatives have the responsibility to help good arammanas appear to a dying person while he is still capable of directing his mind on these objects. Keep in mind how the Venerable Sona helped his father’s bad nimittas disappear and good ones appear.

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