Video of the Tibetan Book of the Dead

The Tibetan Book of the Dead offers a detailed and fascinating insight into the process of dying, death, and rebirth as understood within Tibetan Buddhism. The stages described reflect both an esoteric cosmology and practical guidance for spiritual practitioners facing death or contemplating its nature.

A bardo, strictly speaking, is one of typically six types of awareness that a being experiences as they cycle from one life to another. Three of these Bardos are experienced during life and are ‘waking’, ‘dreaming’, and ‘meditative’ awarenesses — the latter referring to the jhanic or tantric awareness of a meditator. Not all Buddhists recognise the Bardo — it is largely a feature of the Tibetan schools.

Traditionally, a Tibetan priest, a Lama, would read and explain this book to those dying or even after death, whispered into the ear in the hope of facilitating realisation or, at the very least, a more fortunate rebirth. Some very skilled Lamas were even said to be able to enter the Bardo themselves and meet and guide the Gandharva (the intermediate being) of the deceased individual.

The ‘death process’ begins some time before physical death when the failing life force results in the dissolving of one element into another. There are about twenty distinct stages, but the main ‘pre-death’ stages might be summarised as follows:

• Earth dissolves into Water — physical strength fades, and the body feels heavy and drawn down.
• Water dissolves into Fire — secretions dry up; thirst and dryness are felt.
• Fire dissolves into Wind — limbs grow cold; visual phenomena like smoke arise.
• Wind dissolves into Consciousness — breathing becomes laboured; internal visions arise.
• Consciousness dissolves into Mind — the ‘clear light’ of death appears; awareness becomes lucid and expansive.

Even at this stage, it is possible to thwart any future samsaric rebirth if one has the awareness of mind to do so. The Tibetan Lamas read the Book of the Dead to the deceased for this very reason — to encourage recognition during these critical transitions.

The Bardo of Becoming ends when the Gandharva enters and unifies with the red and white elements of its parents in the case of womb-born beings. This final stage marks rebirth into a new existence.

Here is a recommended video version for further exploration:

Watch: The Secret Teachings of the Tibetan Book of the Dead

“By meditating on the Bardo at the time of life, you will recognize the Bardo at the time of death.”
— Padmasambhava, Tibetan Book of the Dead