Honouring Life and Death: Reflections on a Good Friend and the Buddha’s Last Days

Talk given by Sanghadarsini on 2026-01-24.

In this talk, Sanghadarsini reflects on life, death, and friendship following a recent visit to the Triratna Sangha in Essen, where she spent time with her friend and fellow Order Member Taracitta in the final days of her life. Shortly after returning to Berlin, Sanghadarsini received the news that Taracitta had died peacefully.

The talk weaves personal remembrance with a recount of the Buddha’s final days before his Parinirvana, as recorded in the Pali Canon. These accounts, preserved in remarkable detail by his followers, offer profound insights into the nature of Buddhahood, the Dharma. Connecting it all with a quote from Sangharakshita (Living Ethically): "The middle way is to appreciate life as much as we can but not hang on to it, and to appreciate death when it comes but neither to long for it nor fear it."

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