Life and the Meaning of Death

An Inuit tale describes that when an elder can no longer contribute to the village they voluntarily venture out “onto the ice” so the polar bears will eat them, in turn the young villagers hunt the bear to provide continuing nourishment to their village - completing the circle of life. In our modern world 50% of medical costs are incurred in the last few years of life. Those of us who hang onto life at all costs, no matter the quality of life lived, could be considered as “eating the bear”.

The Metta Sutta, one of the core texts of Mahayana Buddhism, states that “One who has achieved the Way is free from the duality of birth and death.” This is not to imply immortality, but rather to understand impermanence as the fundamental nature of reality and to see birth and death as a continuum in the unending unfolding of life.

This philosophical presentation will focus on western & Buddhist cultural beliefs, practices, & attitudes toward death and dying. It does not advocate or recommend any action. It only invites participants to think and reflect.

Speakers: Larry Robinson, retired psychotherapist; Ofer Zur, Psychologist