The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Liberation Through Understanding in the Between
Feb 2011 · Sold by Bantam
4.6star
14 reviews
Ebook
304
Pages
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About this ebook
The most accessible and informative version of the Buddhist classic available in English, with instruction in meditation, illuminating commentary, and guidance in the practical use of the prayers
The so-called “Tibetan Book of the Dead” has been renowned for centuries as a cornerstone of Buddhist wisdom and religious thought. More recently, it has become highly influential in the Western world for its psychological insights into the processes of death and dying—and what they can teach us about the ways we live our lives. It has also been found to be helpful in the grieving process by people who have recently lost their loved ones.
Composed in the eighth century C.E., it is intended to prepare the soul for the trials and transformations of the afterworld. Its profound message is that the art of dying is as important as the art of living. Drawing on Tibetan spiritual traditions, it shows us the workings of the mind in its various manifestations—terrifying and comforting, wrathful and beautiful—which appear more clearly after death in the consciousness of the deceased. By recognizing these manifestations, we can attain a state of enlightenment, both in this existence and in the existence to come.
This authoritative translation preserves the form and spirit of the original and was prepared especially for Western readers by Robert A. F. Thurman, one of the most prominent Tibetan scholars in America and a close associate of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s.
The so-called “Tibetan Book of the Dead” has been renowned for centuries as a cornerstone of Buddhist wisdom and religious thought. More recently, it has become highly influential in the Western world for its psychological insights into the processes of death and dying—and what they can teach us about the ways we live our lives. It has also been found to be helpful in the grieving process by people who have recently lost their loved ones.
Composed in the eighth century C.E., it is intended to prepare the soul for the trials and transformations of the afterworld. Its profound message is that the art of dying is as important as the art of living. Drawing on Tibetan spiritual traditions, it shows us the workings of the mind in its various manifestations—terrifying and comforting, wrathful and beautiful—which appear more clearly after death in the consciousness of the deceased. By recognizing these manifestations, we can attain a state of enlightenment, both in this existence and in the existence to come.
This authoritative translation preserves the form and spirit of the original and was prepared especially for Western readers by Robert A. F. Thurman, one of the most prominent Tibetan scholars in America and a close associate of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s.
Ratings and reviews
4.6
14 reviews
Jaws8 “jaws8”
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August 9, 2015
An excellent book that I found very helpful in understanding this profound work by Padmasambhava. As everyone must die, this book should be of great benefit to us all. Thank you to Professor Thurman for your insights, interpretation and analysis in making Guru Rinpoche's teachings more accessible to those who live in a non-Tibetan and non-Buddhist culture. I hope and trust that this unabridged book will be read by Robert Thurman or a professional audio book reader for those who have visual handicaps and for those dying so they can listen to it while dying. Thank you.
2 people found this review helpful
A Google user
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January 8, 2012
I've only read about ~30 pages but it givea you a lot to think about. Best thing about it was that it only offers a point of view and does NOT cramp the view down youre throat like the 'holy' bible.
Sivan Sankaran
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September 9, 2016
Good
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
Robert Thurman, acclaimed translator of The Tibetan Book of the Dead and author of Inner Revolution, is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the department of religion at Columbia University and is the director of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies. He is a friend of the Dalai Lama’s, president of Tibet House U.S., and one of the most visible and respected Buddhist scholars and thinkers in the West.
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