| Title | : | The Tibetan Book of the Dead, Liberation Through Understanding the Between |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0553370901 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780553370904 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 304 |
| Publication | : | First published January 28, 1993 |
The Tibetan Book of the Dead, Liberation Through Understanding the Between Reviews
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i was about 3/4 done with this book when my car was stolen, the book was in the car. i got the car back two days later, but no tibetan book of the dead. hopefully some car thief will have greater understanding on his journey through the next bardo.
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I have read the Tibetan book of the Dead, but I haven't. To read it once, isn't to read it at all. It takes time, effort, and a particular frame of mind, to truly get to grips with the text. You can take from it what you need, or take all of it, and make of it what you will. I find it very difficult to write a 'review' of the Tibetan Book of the dead. Listen to 'Tomorrow Never Knows' by The Beatles. The choral sounds in this music, reflect (only a little) the spirit of this masterpiece.
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This book is one of the funerary texts read aloud in the presence of a dying or recently deceased person in Tibetan Buddhism.
This is a fascinating book full of colourful descriptions of deities such as the Red Hoopoo-Headed Desire-Goddess, the Green Stag-Headed Wealth Guardian Goddess and the Red Lion-Headed Iron-Chain-Holding Goddess. All these goddesses are encountered on one day in the book and the imagery these vivid names conjure up are one of the joys of the book.
Other names for this book include Bardo Thodol or Bar Do Thos Grol, where Bardo means intermediate and refers to the intermediate state between life and rebirth.
Traditions relates that the Bardo Thodol was one of many sacred texts hidden in remote locations in 8th-Century Tibet by Padmasambhava, the Lotus Guru, so they could be revealed at a more appropriate time.
This intermediate state comprises three bardos: The Chikhai Bardo or 'Bardo of the moment of death', the Chonyid Bardo or 'Bardo of the experiencing of reality' and the Sidpa Bardo or 'bardo or rebirth'.
The deceased's experience is summed up in the following order:
Chikhai Bardo - 1st stage: The Primary Clear Light seen at the moment of death.
Chikhai Bardo - 2nd stage: The Secondary Clear Light seen immediately after death.
Chonyid Bardo - apparitions of the Peaceful and Wrathful deities, projections of the deceased's own mind.
Sidpa Bardo: the deceased's consciousness is now separated from the body, but its attachment to life is still there.
Each of these bardos is described in great detail in the book. -
Sound advice on how to avoid selecting a womb, or, if you must, how to choose the right one--which involves watching your prospective parents conceive you.
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Whew! This one took a while.
Thurman's articulation (and sometimes analysis) of the art of death preparation through Tibetan Buddhism is patiently layered. His writing is accessible, if complex, and his translation work, though wordy and abstract, is still digestible given range of abstraction he must have waded through.
THE TIBETAN BOOK OF THE DEAD chronicles the steps necessary to authentically aid an individual's encounters with the many between states of existence. There are two critical facets of this book that make it a dynamic text for Buddhism research.
(1) Thurman contextualizes and prefaces his translation of Padma Sambhava's treasure texts with an exquisite historical observation of the cultural importance/ fascination/ understanding of "the phenomena of dying," as the Dalai Lama states in the foreward. What is the role of dying/death among Tibetans and Tibetan civilization? Thurman details his research prior to his translation work. (2) Thurman provides a running commentary of sorts, a parallel breakdown of every single prayer, verse, appeal, poem, and daily instruction. You don't realize the value of his hard work until later on, when the verses become redundant and the prayer descriptions become increasingly abstract. It can be difficult to follow, reading the translation as is; fortunately, Thurman takes the time to provide his interpretation of the material as well.
The book is not without some areas of question. Thurman's apparent disdain for Darwinian, evolutionary psychology, and natural selection was handled rather funnily; a backhanded complement to theories that "need some revision," he says. I additionally wish he did more to tie together his incredible writings on nothingness and voidness to his translation work; his understanding of these concepts is expansive and his writings bring tremendous clarity, but he doesn't reference back to them as often as would have been most helpful. Lastly, as much as I loved his work on the role of death/dying in Buddhist culture through the centuries, I always wish there was more (not that it was particularly necessary . . . it's just what I think he does best). -
This is a good translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, by Uma Thurman's dad.
I found it very interesting to read from a cultural and ethnic standpoint but I did not find it particularly spiritual.
It is like a bed time story that you read to someone who is dying. Which is, in my opinion an interesting religious tradition. -
Similar to the Bible in importance. Possibly suitable for others like myself, who for some reason got blocked from understanding the teachers in the native or home culture. Definitely an advanced teaching that explains dying as a moment of ultimate freedom, similar to falling asleep in experience and similar to progressing from childhood to adulthood in helping the soul to grow out of the material reality.
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I'm finding Chapter One, An Outline of Tibetan History and Buddhism in Summary, very helpful. I began practicing meditation and reading Buddhist-based self-help books five years ago, but have lacked a clear broad picture of where I'm located in relation to the history of the practice; and I've lacked an understanding of how the evolution of the practice allowed it to reach me. Not that it's been needed for me to know the scope of Buddhist teachings or Tibetan history to benefit from studying the Dharma and from sitting. I have benefited without a full course of study. Nor have I felt the need to identify outwardly as a Buddhist in any way that would require a more thorough knowledge than I have. Nevertheless, Thurman's writing is very clear and precise and thorough, and I now know about Shakyamuni Buddha, the main principles of the practice, how it differs from world religions, and I'm especially glad to have a clear picture of the events leading to China's occupation of Tibet.
I haven't even begun the main body of the historical text. I'm sure Thurman's intro to it will prepare me well for understanding it.
The quality of the introduction is not diminished by my sitting near Mr. Thurman at a vocal concert by a Tibetan singer in which he was acknowledged in the audience by the performer, a friend or acquaintance of his, yet muttered rudely throughout the show and also munched loudly on snacks. -
I made it to 40%, and very uncharacteristically, decided to give up. It is very esoteric. I’m not gaining anything from it. At this point I am just forcing myself to read it. Considering I started it in early October of last year I suppose I should have read the writing on the wall. Transitioning from the ‘theory’ to the actual prayers themselves and their explanations was the final straw, so to speak. I simply can’t comprehend it.
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A very interesting read about the Tibetan way of mentally and spiritually preparing for death. It took a lot of concentration to get through the intricacies of part 1, and I admittedly skipped the second part once seeing it was almost all prayers. Still, I enjoyed the "spiritual science" aspect of the text.
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I have a few quibbles with a few of Thurman's decisions regarding translation. (e.g. he translates "karma" as "evolution") but his commentary throughout is hugely helpful, particularly for those who know little about Tibetan culture and mythology.
The glossary is extremely valuable as well. This is a book to read all the way through and then to use over and over again as a reference work. -
Amazing book! Really put into perspective what matters and what is not so important in life and death. If only I could remember its teachings every moment of each day.
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For years I have wanted to read this. Finally at this point in my life it makes complete sense that I need to be reading this.
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One of the treasures of human literature - the book; And one of the treasures of American (world) intellectuals - Robert Thurman. -
Remarkable scholar... His works come from such depth of knowledge, wisdom and understand of the topics he presents...
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Renowned as a classic text of Buddhist wisdom from the 8th century, it took me over 2 years to finish reading it, often putting it down for months and coming back to it.
The book is intended as a guide to preparing for the rituals and transformation of the afterworld - the place in between, preparing you for rebirth wherever you decide to be reborn. There are 3 bardots and the book provides detailed advice on how one can be liberated after death. It provides a profound message that dying has an art to it and carried the same importance as the art of living.
The yin and the yang evident in so much of our universe is apparent in death, as our minds conjure up terrifying and comforting scenarios and images that may distract us from being liberated or enable us to recognise the pure light (different colours are different stages) and enable us to be liberated. It is a process that can last more than a month (according to time as we know it), with various tests along the way towards enlightenment and liberation.
A fascinating piece of work. -
Part 1 was the most interesting as it was giving background information on Tibetian monks. Part 2 is directed more towards people who are interested in a list of prayers to say in their spiritual practice. Part 3 was interesting at times with the information it presented about spirituality, but other times it also presented a few prayers for the reader to repeat. Overall, solid spiritual book, just not for me. They do make an effort to be inclusive to all spiritual backgrounds so you may still gain something from this book even if you aren't buddist.
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Did not love it. It has good wisdom but the format is disjointed.
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Super interesting. The Bardo is a rich topic for thinking about psychology, if you are figurative about it, or for understanding Tibetan Buddhism if you're literal about it.
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Truly liberating lessons.
May all sentient beings be free from pain and suffering. -
Stopped reading in the between of the book. Enlightening peer into the Budhaverse.
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This is a newer translation of a book which has been popularly known as "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" in the West for the better part of a century now. The translator/editor takes great pains to explain the inaccuracy of this title and other parts of older translations, based mostly on the misunderstandings of well-meaning Western scholars. Also included is a summary of Tibetan history and culture as it relates to Buddhism, as well as numerous background notes on Buddhist terms and principles.
In short, the true name of this "teaching" or "protocol" (not really a book in the traditional sense, but it's the best we can do with English) is the Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding in the Between. Essentially, it is an instruction manual for the living on what to do when someone dies, so that the deceased might pass on either to a good rebirth/reincarnation, or even escape the cycle of death/rebirth entirely. The "Between" is the psychic/spiritual interval that comes after physical death and prior to rebirth or escape.
It is important to note here that this work is reflective of the Tibetan school of Buddhism, which is merely one type of Buddhism among many. Tibetan Buddhism has risen considerably in the non-Buddhist public conscience thanks to several factors, like the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the eloquence of the Dalai Lama, but it by no means encompasses what all Buddhists believe.
A quick synopsis of what happens upon death: When you die, your spirit/essence/soul does not immediately depart this world. It enters the Between, where it will stay for anywhere from a few days to 49 days, depending on the level of enlightenment you had while alive. Thus a lama might stay in the Between for a very brief period of time, but a lay person with no spiritual training might be there much longer. Fortunately, this manual is designed to guide deceased persons of any level through into the next life. Basically, you, the reader, act as a kind of psychopomp.
The text is meant to be read in the presence of the dead person's former body. It is believed that upon death, your spirit continues to hover about, confused and bewildered about what just happened to it. It is aware of its surroundings, but in the same way you might be aware of what is happening in a dream--some things are highly distorted and magnified, while others are remarkably clear and lucid. You might see and hear the lamentations of your loved ones, but not understand that you cannot interact with them, for instance. This can lead to suffering and more confusion for the spirit, which is why mourning is not allowed in the presence of the body.
As the days go by, the text changes and assumes different points on the spirit's journey through the Between. At this point things become highly symbolic and mystical, and there is much debate on what precisely is going on, and what Tibetan practitioners believe it represents. I read that Jung took great interest in this book as a kind of proto-psychology, with the different stages of the journey representing emotional states of mind. Encountering "hellish" deities or realms during the journey represent your own guilt, shame, or unreleased hatreds, for example. Successfully navigating these stages is akin to letting go of such negative concepts. Indeed, there are places in the text where this appears to be acknowledged, since the reader urges the dead to remember that all of these terrifying visions exist only in your mind.
At the same time, this translation cautions the Western reader not to sway too far in either direction when it comes to these interpretations. Trying to fully spiritualize or rationalize the Between is not something the text really allows, and trying to do so is probably more a reflection of yourself and your background than on what any of this "really" means. Thurman makes a helpful point when he states that "in your mind" means something very different to a Tibetan Buddhist than it does to many of us. I am reminded of that line in the Deathly Hallows where Dumbledore is speaking to Harry: "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry. But why on earth should that mean it is not real?" -
This book is broken into 3 parts and admittedly I only completed the first 2. I might get around to the third but it’s titled supplementary translations and seems to only offer more substantive prayers to those who want to practice these teachings routinely. The first part is very interesting and fast paced giving much needed background to Tibetan Buddhism and the meaning of death in that culture. It also explains how this text was found and the history of the boddhisatva who wrote it. The second part is the actual translation of Padmasambhava and his text on liberation in the between. It has preferable footnotes or annotation by Robert Thurman that helps explain and elaborate the text. This section gets repetitive at times but one starts to appreciate the beauty of that the longer it’s read and more comfortable one becomes with the substance and style. The lord of great compassion gives the mental body many chances and one must just be familiar and non fearing of the guests that come on each day. With each visit you’re given another chance for liberation and to end your life cycle of reincarnation and neutral or devolution. If after many days you continue to fear the deities and stay in the between you’re faced with choosing a womb. Choose wisely or you could end up devolving into an animal or pretan. Titans are an option (which I believe is equivalent to god) but they make it out like it’s bad since it’s not enlightenment, Nirvana or buddhahood. The best way to prepare for death is to read this book, memorize the prayers, and envision the Buddha lands of splendor as well as the mild and fierce deities that will visit. In the case of someone who has died, you can read them the text near their deceased body, where they died, or just while thinking on them and it will help direct them in the immediate days after their death. If all else fails pray on the white light of compassion and OM MANI PADME HUM
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My only regret with this book is that I didn't read the Glossary first. Though I have had more than two decades of Buddhist practice, initiations, and education, I wasn't fully prepared to understand the new vocabulary to which I was introduced. I highly recommend reading the Glossary first or at least as you go, to enhance your overall reading experience.
I am fascinated by details about the author of the The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Liberation Through Understanding the In Between. Written in the 8th or 9th century for Indian and Tibetan Buddhists, this text was hidden by the author, Padma Sambhava, for future generations and later discovered in the fourteenth century by Karma Lingpa. Padma Sambhava means the "Lotus-born One". The story of his birth is miraculous. He was one of the greatest adepts in Buddhism ever on a level as great as Milarepa in similar Buddhist folklore. He is said to have been born from a rainbow meteor, of cosmic origins, which shot down to earth into the Dhanakosha lake. A jewel sprang forth from the waters, and a brilliant child was born who was later adopted by a King. This shows how mythic he is, as a figure, to Indian and Tibetan Buddhists.
This book assisted me with learning new meditation techniques. I found myself contemplating my own death, and visualizing the life here-after. As instruction, it is meant to prepare an individual to attain liberation at the moment of death. By practicing now, we can enforce the concepts and teachings in our own minds or we may use the text for the recently deceased (recitation) to help them navigate the various mind-states which may appear at the death-point and other stages of the in-between.
I highly recommend this book for practitioners who are ready to face the inevitable- old age, sickness and death.
P.D. Gourlais -
Probably the most complex book I have read. This book is not to be taken as informative but a book that takes you on a journey which makes no sense but you enjoy the ride nonetheless!
I understood nothing … just thoroughly enjoyed reading. -
a cultural book that i have now read. the film narrated by leonard cohen was more helpful to me, however, b/c i am not a student of this topic/book so much as a by-stander who wanted exposure to the cultural aspects of the book. it is fanciful but in a (respectful, for me) metaphorical manner. the essence seems to be "get to know your dark side while you live b/c you will meet/project this in monster form soon after death and the best way to handle it is 1. do not fear "it" b/c it is only an aspect of yourself and 2. remaining calm is the best way to respond" ... well ... those instructions fit with what meditation practice says about our emotions and that suffering is NOT inevitable with right-thinking and right-action.
so what is below is found beyond as well. practice here and it will go better in the hereafter.
and of course in the respectful metaphorical ideas, time is presented ... so many hours after death ... so many days after death ... so many weeks after death. but death is when we move beyond time. so it is these ideas that i take most metaphorically which means i understand them the least except as representations of our fault lines. if that idea makes sense. -
I've been wanting to read this book for quite some time now. I first heard of it on a History Channel Documentary about it, which I want to watch again after having read the book. I believe that is what got be so interested in Tibetan Buddhism, Tibet, and the Dalai Lama. I'm not Buddhist, but I have a scholarly interest in Tibetan Buddhism. The Translator for this book had a fantastic introduction about Buddhism and Tibet for those whom are not Buddhists, which I found to be very helpful. This book was really thought provoking. It got me thinking about reincarnation. I believed in reincarnation when I was younger, and I kind of always liked the idea of reincarnation, so this book has me thinking about it again. It's a pretty interesting read. I would recommend it.
