11月25日,旅客发现一名老人倒睡在长椅上很久便拍打老人,发现老人身体冰凉,经过120急救人员确认老人已去世。正在等车的一名僧人为老人超度。
November 25th. “An elderly man passed away in the waiting hall of the Shanxi Taiyuan (China) train station. A Buddhist monk who happened to be waiting for his train went forth, held the deceased’s hand, and proceeded to pray for him.” Xinhua News Agency. REUTERS/Asianewsphoto
I’ve been haunted by these images all day. Herewith a few thoughts and questions:
– essentially, we’ll die alone (perhaps in a train station);
– how ‘ready’ can anyone be to die?
– who will be there when I die?
– death will come, regardless of time and place and ‘fairness’;
– anyone (not just monks) can attend to a dying or deceased person;
– we’re destined to die: 100% certainty.
Kindness and compassion in action.
May we be so fortunate at the end of this earthly life, that someone is near who cares and who knows a way to guide our spirit.
Indeed Mary – though sad – its also awesome and powerful – a very stand out occurrence – for not just this one man in a train station but the impact it has – not just on him but his family and friends and anyone there at the time (the monk too) … and all of us who have now heard about it. Thanks … I’m glad I read this today…
p.s. caring is everywhere all the time forever….