Less Clinging, Closer to Liberation

The internal organs freshly extracted from a living body are each vibrant and full of vitality, with nerve cells actively functioning and clear signs of life. Why do the organs remain alive after being separated from the body? It is because the adherence of the manas (mental faculty) causes the Alaya-vijnana (storehouse consciousness) to emit seeds that sustain the survival of the visceral organs.

Observing the adherence to the body in each person’s manas at the approach of human death reveals that those with stronger attachment to the body experience slower death and more severe and intense suffering, while those with weaker attachment to the body experience faster death and less and milder suffering. This excludes beings destined for hell. Those with severe attachment to the body are individuals burdened by heavy afflictions; such people possess minor wholesome karma and often lack auspicious signs at death. Uncertain of their destination, they cling fiercely to the body, and the more they cling, the more they suffer. This is a vicious cycle from which ordinary people, lacking cultivation, cannot break free. Those with abundant and substantial wholesome karma often exhibit some auspicious signs and favorable omens at death, resulting in less attachment to the body and a swift passing.

Therefore, by training oneself diligently in ordinary times to minimize attachment to people, matters, and material objects, one will experience little suffering at death. Even in daily life, suffering will be greatly reduced. Thus, the less one clings, the closer one is to liberation, and the more lightly one lives. Whatever one clings to becomes a burden and a hindrance. Attachment itself is a manifestation of ignorance. Those with wisdom can see this clearly, are able to let go, and will not cling to people, matters, or material objects to increase their burdens.