The Tibetan Book of the Dead

The Tibetan Book of the Dead

The After-Death Experiences of the Bardos

English translation by Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup of the original work by Karma Lingpa

Compiled and Edited by W. Y. Evans-Wentz

Foreword

The Liberation Through Hearing During the Intermediate State (Standard Tibetan: bar do liminality or threshold; thos grol liberation), sometimes translated as Liberation Through Hearing or transliterated as Bardo Thodol, is a funerary text. It is often referred to in the West by the more casual title, Tibetan Book of the Dead, a name which draws a parallel with the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, another funerary text.

The Tibetan text describes, and is intended to guide one through, the experiences that the consciousness has after death, during the interval between death and the next rebirth. This interval is known in Tibetan as the bardo. The text also includes chapters on the signs of death, and rituals to undertake when death is closing in, or has taken place. It is the most internationally famous and widespread work of Tibetan Nyingma literature. However, despite knowledge of texts and practices related to the Bardo - the book as found in the west is virtually unknown in Tibet in the title or form. [1]

The Indian master Padmasambhava came to Tibet in the late 8th century. He is remembered by Tibetans as Guru Rinpoche (Precious Master), and his influence on Tibetan Buddhism is incalculable. According to Tibetan tradition, Padmasambhava composed the Bardo Thodol as part of a larger work called the Cycle of Peaceful and Wrathful Deities. This text was written by his wife and student, Yeshe Tsogyal, and then hidden in the Gampo Hills of central Tibet. The text was discovered in the 14th century by Karma Lingpa.

There's tradition, and then there are scholars. Historical scholarship suggests the work had several authors who wrote it over a period of many years. The current text dates from the 14th or 15th centuries. [2]

The Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism that emerged in Central Asia and particularly in Tibet developed the concept of the bardos, the intermediate or transitional states that mark an individual’s life from birth to death and rebirth. The period between death and rebirth lasts 49 days and involves three bardos. The first is the moment of death itself. The consciousness of the newly deceased becomes aware of and accepts the fact that it has recently died, and it reflects upon its past life. In the second bardo, it encounters frightening apparitions. Without an understanding that these apparitions are unreal, the consciousness becomes confused and, depending upon its karma, may be drawn into a rebirth that impedes its liberation. The third bardo is the transition into a new body.

While in the bardo between life and death, the consciousness of the deceased can still apprehend words and prayers spoken on its behalf, which can help it to navigate through its confusion and be reborn into a new existence that offers a greater chance of attaining enlightenment. Reciting of the Bardo Thodol, usually performed by a lama (religious teacher), begins shortly before death (if possible) and continues throughout the 49-day period leading to rebirth. [3]

This book has been edited from the original work of The Tibetan Book of The Dead published in 1927.  This edition is now Public Domain.

Book One

The Chikhai Bardo and the Chonyid Bardo

The Obeisances

The Introduction

The Transference of the Consciousness-Principle

The Reading of this Thodol

The Practical Application of this Thodol by the Officiant

Part I

The Bardo of the Moments of Death

Instructions on the Symptoms of Death, or the First Stage of the Chikhai Bardo: The Primary Clear Light Seen at the Moment of Death

Instructions Concerning the Second Stage of the Chikhai Bardo:

The Secondary Clear Light

Seen Immediately After Death

The Bardo of the Experiencing of Reality

Introductory Instructions Concerning the Experiencing of Reality During the Third Stage of the Bardo, Called the Chonyid Bardo, when the Karmic Apparitions Appear

The Dawning of the Peaceful Deities, from the First to the Seventh Day

The Dawning of the Wrathful Deities, from the Eight to the Fourteenth Day

The Conclusion, Showing the Fundamental Importance of the Bardo Teachings

Book Two

The Bardo Body: Its Birth and Its Supernormal Faculties

Characteristics of Existence in the Intermediate State

The Dawning of the Lights of the Six Lokas

The Process of Rebirth

The Closing of the Door of the Womb

Method of Preventing Entry into a Womb

The First Method of Closing the Womb-Door

The Second Method of Closing the Womb-Door

The Third Method of Closing the Womb-Door

The Fourth Method of Closing the Womb-Door

The Fifth Method of Closing the Womb-Door

The Choosing of the Womb-Door

The Premonitory Visions of the Place of Rebirth

The Protection Against the Tormenting Furies

The Alternative Choosing: Supernormal Birth; or Womb-Birth

Supernormal Birth by Transference to a Paradise Realm

Womb-Birth: The Return to the Human World

The General Conclusion

The Appendix

I: The Invocation of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

II: 'The Path of Good Wishes for Saving from the Dangerous Narrow Passageway of the Bardo'

IV:   'The Path of Good Wishes which Protecteth from Fear in the Bardo':

[V: The Colophon]

Book One

The Chikhai Bardo and the Chonyid Bardo

Herein lieth the setting-face-to-face to the reality in the intermediate state: the great deliverance by hearing while on the after-death plane, from 'The Profound Doctrine of the Emancipating of the Consciousness by Meditation Upon the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities'

The Obeisances

To the Divine Body of Truth, the Incomprehensible, Bound-less Light;

To the Divine Body of Perfect Endowment, Who are the Lotus and the Peaceful and the Wrathful Deities;

To the Lotus-born, Padmasambhava, Who is the Protector of all sentient beings; To the Gurus, the Three Bodies, obeisance.

The Introduction

This Great Doctrine of Liberation by Hearing, which conferreth spiritual freedom on devotees of ordinary wit while in the Intermediate State, hath three divisions: the preliminaries, the subject-matter, and the conclusion.

At first, the preliminaries, The Guide Series, for emancipating beings, should be mastered by practice.

The Transference of the Consciousness-Principle

By The Guide, the highest intellects ought most certainly to be liberated; but should they not be liberated, then while in the Intermediate State of the Moments of Death they should practice the Transference, which giveth automatic liberation by one's merely remembering it.

Devotees of ordinary wit ought most certainly to be freed thereby; but should they not be freed, then, while in the Intermediate State [during the experiencing] of Reality, they should persevere in the listening to this Great Doctrine of Liberation by Hearing.

Accordingly, the devotee should at first examine the symptoms of death as they gradually appear [in his dying body], following Self-Liberation [by Observing the] Characteristics [of the] Symptoms of Death. Then, when all the symptoms of death are complete [he should] apply the Transference, which conferreth liberation by merely remembering [the process].

The Reading of this Thodol

If Phowa or the Transference of Consciousness has been successful by the deceased, there is no need to read this Thodol; but if the deceased was not a dedicated Phowa practitioner, then it is important for the deceased that this Thodol is to be read, correctly and distinctly, near the body.

If there be no corpse, then the bed or the seat to which the deceased had been accustomed should be occupied [by the reader], who ought to expound the power of the Truth.

However the reading can still be done from a distance if one is not in the same location as the deceased. What is important if for the reader to hold the deceased clearly in their mind/heart to make the connection.  Then, holding the deceased clearly in your heart, imagine them to be present there listening, and read. During this time it is extremely important that no relative or friend should hold any negative emotions, cry, feel regret, or sadness. The environment needs to be quiet, dignified, and tranquil.

At the time of death; it is most beneficial to have the lama of the deceased do the reading but if a lama is not available, a fellow sangha member, or a close and trusted friend, can be of great benefit. It is most beneficial for the deceased to hear a soothing and trusted voice. Putting the lips close to the ear of the deceased without actually touching it, one should read this Great Thodol.

The Practical Application of this Thodol by the Officiant

Now for the explaining of the Thodol itself:

If thou canst gather together a grand offering, offer it to The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.. If such cannot be