Bodily discomfort and emotional fear and attachment make the

The great sage, Lobsang Tenzin, in his reflections on the nature of death, brings forth a profound truth that resonates deeply with the human experience. "Bodily discomfort and emotional fear and attachment make the dying uncomfortable and fearful." In these words, he speaks of the universal suffering that accompanies the end of life, a suffering that transcends the body and takes root in the heart. It is said that fear is a shadow that grows long in the face of death, for we cling to life, to love, and to the fleeting pleasures of this world. The body, once strong and vibrant, begins to fail, and the soul is caught in a storm of emotional turmoil, reluctant to let go. Yet, attachment, though it offers us warmth in life, becomes the source of our greatest pain in death.

In every age, people have sought to understand and alleviate this discomfort. Lobsang Tenzin points to the wisdom of modern medical science, acknowledging its ability to ease the physical agony that often accompanies dying. Pain is a cruel master, and for many, the final moments of life are tainted by its relentless grip. Ancient physicians and healers understood the importance of soothing the body, but the methods were limited. Today, we live in an age where medicine, like an ever-vigilant sentinel, stands guard against the ravages of pain. Yet, the question remains—can we truly eliminate suffering, or do we merely dull its sharpness, leaving the mind to struggle with its own demons?

The greatest burden in dying, however, may not be the physical pain, but the weight of emotional fear. In the face of death, many are gripped by the fear of the unknown, the fear of separation from loved ones, and the fear of what might lie beyond. The ancient philosophers spoke of courage as the antidote to such fear—courage to face the inevitable with grace and acceptance. Yet, modern science, in its pursuit of comfort, offers us a different remedy: the possibility of easing the mind, not merely the body. Anesthesia, in its many forms, dulls the senses, allowing one to escape the sharp edges of fear, if only for a time. It is a modern balm, but does it truly grant peace to the spirit, or only the illusion of it?

To understand the essence of Lobsang Tenzin's words, we must look beyond the comfort of the body and consider the state of the soul. The act of dying is not only a physical process but a deeply emotional and spiritual one. Ancient texts tell of great warriors who, upon facing death, found peace in letting go of their attachments, their fears, and their pain. They did not seek to evade death, but to embrace it as part of the natural flow of existence. The Buddha, in his teachings, spoke of the importance of detachment—not as a cold rejection of life, but as a means of freeing oneself from suffering. It is the attachment that binds us to this world, that causes our fear and anxiety as we approach its end.

And yet, in this modern age, we must acknowledge that medicine offers something new. While ancient wisdom urged us to transcend fear through spiritual practice, today’s world offers us a bridge between body and mind. The tools of modern science—palliative care, pain management, and psychological support—work in tandem to ease the suffering of those on the brink of death. By reducing or eliminating physical pain, we provide the dying with a chance to find some measure of peace. But, the question remains: do these methods allow us to face death as the ancients did, with equanimity and courage, or do they merely mask the deeper issues of the soul?

In the end, Lobsang Tenzin’s message is clear: pain is not just a physical sensation, but a profound emotional and spiritual experience. The fear of dying is born from our attachments, and the comfort of medical science can alleviate some of this suffering. But, true peace may lie not in the avoidance of pain, but in the acceptance of it. Acceptance, as the great sages taught, is the key to understanding life and death. We may never rid ourselves of fear completely, but we can learn to face it with grace, courage, and wisdom. In this, there is freedom—not from death, but from the suffering that accompanies it.

And so, the lesson to take from this wisdom is clear: in the face of life’s greatest challenge, we must cultivate both compassion and understanding. We must care for the body and the mind with the tools at our disposal, but we must also tend to the soul. For in the end, it is not the absence of pain, but the presence of peace, that will grant us the strength to face our final moments with dignity. As Lobsang Tenzin teaches us, modern medicine may alleviate pain, but it is inner peace that will guide us through the passage from life to death.