[scewLacysmazy]

Hi Element.

I think that you are overcomplicating things and seeing things that are not there. I can understand your point and actually agree but I do not think this sutta portrays it.

As you say it is important to keep the context in mind.

1. Mahanama was a lay follower.
2. His question is that of what happens after Death in both suttas.

I.e. he asks:

[I]At times like that my mindfulness with regard to the Blessed One gets muddled, my mindfulness with regard to the Dhamma... the Sangha gets muddled. The thought occurs to me, 'If I were to die at this moment, what would be my destination? What would be my future course?"
[/I]

What he is afraid of is the age old dilemma for people beliving in reincarnation. According to popular belief the state of the mind at the moment of death is instrumental for future reincarnation. That is why you recite gatas and the merituous deeds of the person near death (or dead) in his presence so his mind will be at peace and can thus reach a higher state of reincarnation.

Mahanama is worried that if he dies at a moment when his minds is muddled he will fall into a bad reincarnation.

And that is the question that is answered. The reference to diffrent animals eating of the body is because of the old indian tradition to leave the dead unburied in those days cemetaries. A custom that still prevails in Tibet and some places in India (as you well probably know.) In Tibet I have heard that some even cut the body to pieces so the animals can eat it easier.

So whatever happens to the mind in this sutta happens after physical death of the body.

If the answer is that a well trained mind rises and seperates out that would probably imply that reincarnation in a better place is meant. But if the mind after death becomes lofty and noble there is no rationality to that notion. Why would a mind change state just because of physical death?

Being pretty bad at pali I would love if you would take the time and translate the entire sutta according to how you see it?

Btw two things

1. Are you Sri Lankan?
2. I do not really give a hoot when the Theravadians think that rebirth occurs. And I do not think you do either. Am I right?

Best regards
/Victor