Editorial Review

Imagine that as you leave your body at death, you hear the voice of a loved one whispering in your ear explanations of everything you see in the world beyond. Unlike other translations of Read more

Reviews (12)

Tibetan Book of the Dead
The description of this book made it sound easy enough for a total novice to read. Turns out it's a lot more academic than I expected. That's not a bad thing -- it's just taking more time and effort than anticipated. If you're game for a real test of your determination to know more about this Buddhist stuff, go ahead and get it.

Robert Thurman's supplements here are worth much more than his translation
This was the first edition of the Bardo Thodrol I ever read.I had been a practicing Buddhist for about a year, but still could not understand, or really accept the idea of transmigration, i.e., a cycle of births and rebirths.It was this book that shattered my doubts, and to this day, it remains the most vivid discussion of the nature of life and death I have ever read.Yet it was not the translation that had the effect.It was the vast supplementary material supplied by Robert Thurman.The introductory essays concerning Tibetan Buddhism, living and dying in Tibetan and modern traditions, and the nature of death, are in fact worth much more than his translation.In trying render the Bardo Thodrol, an esoteric teaching of an esoteric religion, useful to all readers, Thurman sacrifices much of the intrinsic beauty of the text.He replaces words such as karma with evolution, Dharmakaya with Truth-body, and, following the tradition of Burton Watson, goes on to translate the names of various good and bad deities in a literal, clumsy translation.It was a nice effort, but ultimately, this text is made useful by Thurman's supplements, not his translation.For this, the Evans-Wentz version is still the standard.Yet, for a Buddhist who doesn't understand the cycle of birth and death, this is a great explanation.

Thurman brings clarity of mind to this translation
The introduction provided by Robert Thurman provides valuable context for understanding The Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding In the Between.Thurman is able to reach out to non-believers by calmly explaining that Tibetan Buddhism is not about belief and dogmatism, but understanding experience more fully.He likens the monks who obtained the knowledge found in the book to spiritual scientists--an oxymoron until one understands the pragmatic value of this book.Use of this book to greater good is not dependent on the particulars of one's personal religious faith or lack thereof.The author helpfully reminds us that according to the tenets of our our scientific laws energy is neither created nor destroyed.Thus it seems likely that our whole being or part of it at least will end up going somewhere, in some form after we die. The introduction and translation are valuable tools for people who want greater understanding or for those who wish to use this book for its intended purpose. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Death    4. Early works to 1800    5. Eastern - General    6. Funeral rites and ceremonies, Buddhist    7. General    8. Intermediate state    9. Philosophy    10. Religion    11. Religious aspects    12. Bar do thos grol    13. Karma-glin-pa    14. Oriental & Indian philosophy    15. Popular psychology    16. Religion / Eastern   

Reviews (2)

Expanded version with authoritative interpretations.Important!
The Tibetan Book of the Dead edited by Graham Coleman, Thupten Jinpa, translated by Gyurme Dorje (Viking) is by far the most popular example of indigenous Tibetan Buddhist treasure literature.An edition was issued in 1927 by Oxford University Press under the general editorship of W. Y. Evans-Wentz.The block-print copy, he used was an abridgment obtained in Nepal and translated by a Tibetan lama.Evans-Wentz was a scholarly Theosophist who imported certain Theosophical preconceptions into his commentary on the work.Carl Jung the prominent analytical psychologist even wrote a psychological commentary on the work prompted by Evans-Wentz.Since the 1970s, beginning with Francesca Fremantle and Chogyam Trungpa's edition of the text and more recently Robert Thurman's translation, corrected versions of the Tibetan Book of the Dead are well represented in English and other European languages.The mistakes and egregious errors of the pioneering edition have been corrected and Tibetan Buddhism now in America and Europe has been flourishing with many translations and commentaries on basic Buddhist practices as well as the indigenous literatures of Tibet.
Immense.
Having just recieved this book, I wonder if I will ever have time to read it. It is a stunning piece of work that has been hidden away for centuries. A must have for any buddhist library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - Tibetan    3. Death    4. Early works to 1800    5. Intermediate state    6. Religion    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Religious aspects    9. Spiritual life    10. Religion / Buddhism / Tibetan   

Reviews (4)

Small But No Extras
We accidentally ordered this book not realizing it was a pocket edition.
Travelling Riverside Blues
This is my favorite transliteration of the Tibetan Book of the Dead.Trungpa Rinpoche and Francesca Fremantle bring scholarly precision, elegance, and a certain audacious directness to the text.The introduction and commentary are also first-rate.The pocket edition of the paperback is lovely airline reading, as it literally fits in your pocket.(Will having this book on your person put you on any "watch lists" when you get the super-size security treatment?Dunno.)
The Tibetan Book of The Dead, read by Richard Gere
This was my first exposure to the Tibetan book of the Dead.Basically this book is aninstuctional guide for traveling thru the Bardo; the period or placein which we find ourselvesafter death, and beforeincarnating into our next life or form. The book gives a very detaileddescription of the deities and phenomena one can expect to encounter in theBardo, and the actions one must take to facilitatean optimal incarnation. It also instructs on the practices that we should engage in while living,to prepare for the Bardo, andtherefor have the best out come of thatexperience.In addition, this is a guide for facilitating and guidinganother person thru death and the Bardo.This is a straight forwardreading of the book by Gere, it is clear and easy to understand. He is easyto listen to. The descriptions of the variousdieties get a bit longwinded as he decribes at least a hundred of them. Some of it is gruesomeand down right scarey sounding.But the basic thing to remember is, thatit is all emenating from our own mind, and not to be overcome by fear.Exposure to this information,practice and meditation on these deities canhelp prepare us for this experience. Apparently, if we take the correctactions (or non actions) in the bardo, we may not have to continue insamsara but can go directly to the Buddha state, or at least an incarnationin one of the more pleasant realms.I am fairly new to Tibetan Buddhism,so my interpretations of what I heard may not be a perfect reflection ofthe actual teachings. But that is how I heard it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. China    4. Death    5. Early works to 1800    6. Funeral rites and ceremonies, Buddhist    7. Intermediate state    8. Philosophy    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Religious aspects    11. Tibet    12. Death & dying    13. Religion / Buddhism    14. Tibetan Buddhism   

Reviews (16)

A classic
This translation deserved the good reviews. The text has been summed up well in other reviews. A word about the author seems appropriate. It is worth pointing out that W.Y. Evans-Wentz was an American (one reviewer stated that W.Y. E-W was English).The confusion here stems from the fact that W.Y. E-W went to Oxford, England, as a Rhodes scholar. He was a very articulate and erudite man - well versed in the Western classics, Western mystery tradition etc. - and in his footnotes, he made frequent cross references to such.
Not "Pop Buddhism,"A Guide For The Living
This is not the Richard Gere "pop Buddhism" approach.This is the work of an English academic in the early 20th Century, as he uncovers an "Oriental" classic for a Western audience.Evans-Wentz even brings Carl Jung into the picture for the Westerners, as Jung's psychology was "New School" at the time and offered a sublime link between Oriental and Occidental thinking.I hold this book in the highest regard, not because it is a mystical Buddhist text, but rather because it offers tips for daily living and and self-actualization.As with most quality philosophical doctrines, this book is a paradox...a book of the dead that is really an abstract book for the living, regardless of religion or nationality.It is a refreshing and enlightening break from an increasingly fundamental world.

The Original Book and Translation (1927)
This is the original "Tibetan Book of the Dead". All other versions are a toned-down version of this work by different authors who want to accommodate people who do not want to put the work in. You need to put the work in. No one can spoon-feed this kind of wisdom to you.

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Buddhism    3. Buddhism - General    4. China    5. Death    6. Early works to 1800    7. Funeral rites and ceremonies, Buddhist    8. History    9. Intermediate state    10. Religion    11. Religion - World Religions    12. Religious aspects    13. Tibet    14. Religion & Theology | Buddhism    15. Religion / Buddhism / Tibetan    16. Sacred texts    17. Tibetan Buddhism   

Reviews (16)

Leary's Confusion
The so-called Tibetan Book of the Dead (which is literally translated "Liberation Through Hearing In-Between" - apparently first given the Book of the Dead nickname to associate it with the Egyptian Book of the Dead) is said to give 3 opportunities to gain liberation at death - if it doesn't occur with awareness of the Clear Light, then hopefully with the appearence of the 100 wrathful & peaceful deities, or finally at the very least pulling off a decent human rebirth.
Just a small correction
"The Void" WAS the original working title for what became "Tomorrow Never Knows" - and was in fact the first song recorded during the Revolver sessions

LIFE
First, to -oo0(GoldTrader)0oo-, I'd like to make a few corrections; The Beatles never did a song called 'The Void', the one you're talking about is 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. And The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, especially, were pretty big stars even before they were introduced to this (a ton of US #1 singles, fx....)
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Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. Hallucinations and illusions    3. Hallucinogenic drugs    4. New Age    5. Oriental Philosophy    6. Pharmacology (Specific Aspects)    7. Popular Culture - Counter Culture    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    10. Psychiatry    11. Religion / Comparative Religion    12. Social Science-Popular Culture - Counter Culture   

Editorial Review

Francesca Fremantle, who many years ago helped producea translation of Read more

Reviews (3)

Unpacking Sacred Allegory
This is a book about a very precious book, a guidebook to a guidebook if you will.I feel a deep sense of gratitude to Padmasambhava and Karma Lingpa for giving The Tibetan Book of the Dead to the world, and to Chogyam Trungpa and Francesca Fremantle for opening it up to the average English-speaker.Luminous Emptiness is a great help in digesting Padmasambhava's precious teaching on the in-betweens of being.
Luminous Emptiness
Having been a practitioner and student of Buddhism myself for over 36 years, I can honestly say that Luminous Emptiness is the most comprehensive and clear presentation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead that I have ever read.Freemantle explains every topic she addresses clearly, simply, lucidly and thoroughly, without the confusing jargon that so often leaves the reader lost and confused in other similar books.One senses behind her written words the presence of a compassionate, knowledgeable and gentle friend who wants to make sure that you understand everything she is presenting. Luminous Emptiness by Francesca Freemantle is a must-read for anyone interested not only in the Tibetan Book of the Dead, but in Tibetan Buddhism in general and Dzogchen as well -- beginner and advanced students alike.

With extensive writings on this profound work
Luminous Emptiness: Understanding The Tibetan Book Of The Dead by Buddhist teacher and practitioner Francesca Fremantle, presents the classic and enduring "Tibetan Book of the Dead" as a sacred scripture for the living to follow in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Extensive writings on the foundations of this profound work combined with a meticulous translation of the work itself, make for an absorbing and strongly recommended addition to Buddhist Studies reading lists and reference collections. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Buddhism - Tibetan    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Religion / Buddhism    6. Tibetan Buddhism   

Reviews (1)

The hearts and minds of South Africans haven't changed
In this stunning novel, Mr Galgut tells the story of a fugitive from justice hitchhiking in the desolate backdrop of South Africa and who is picked up by a driver, a minister on his way to a remote parish. When the minister discovers that the hitchhiker is a fugitive and confronts him in a disused quarry, the response is lethal.
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Subjects:  1. American    2. Drama    3. Plays    4. Plays / Drama   

Reviews (2)

Brilliant!
The book is brilliant! Just one thing I would add; Take everywhere it says LSD and replace it with Amanita muscaria (Which was the real entheogen this manual is experientially based upon). Then you have it! Keep in mind thatNONE of the world's religions tell the whole truth, and this includesTibetan Buddhism. All Patriarcal religions have severe problems and youshould know what those problems (false dogmas) are before experimenting.The discovery that this book is not necessarily a book for the dead but abook to map the consciousness of those experiencing the Shamanistic 'DeathExperience' is crucial to humanity's understanding of Tibetan Buddhism andother world religion.

Tibetan Buddhism and psychedelicparallels
In the 1960's Leary, Alpert, and Metzner were experimenting with psychedelic chemicals. All being trained psychologists, the experiences they were having with these chemicals did not fit into the zeigeist of whatthey have learned concerning the "maps" of the mind. They weresuprised to find that there experiences were documented step by step in abook over 3500 years old known as The Tibetan Book of the Dead. This bookis an explanation of the process of psychological death and rebirth usingpsychedelic chemicals. If you explore with psychedelics, this book willgive you a context in which to explore and achieve the desiredgoal...Nirvana. A true gem of the era! Highly recommended. Anythingpositive that can be said about this book is an understatement. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. New Age / Parapsychology    2. General   

Subjects:  1. Asian And Oriental Religions    2. Buddhism    3. Buddhism - General    4. Doctrines    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Spiritual life    8. Religion / Buddhism    9. Tibetan Buddhism   

Reviews (1)

A Beautiful, Accessible, Deep and Poetic Book
Jean-Claude van Itallie has done us all a wonderful service by adapting his rich and meaningful play into a lovely book that is a feast for the eyes, ears, and mind. This book makes a perfect, accessible introduction toone of the core teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Without being morbid, thetext takes us on the journey of a soul facing death, and gives agelessadvice on how to approach not only death, but also the little deaths weface in everyday life. The combination of poetic yet pragmatic text, withevocative photos and images, is achieved simply and elegantly. I wouldrecommend this book to anyone, but especially to those learning aboutBuddhism or interested in Tibet, or to those who know of one who is facingdeath or loss. This book would be a treasured and memorable gift. Bravo tovan Itallie for bringing these ageless teachings into the modern world withsuch elegance and spirit! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Death    4. Death, Grief, Bereavement    5. Early works to 1800    6. Funeral rites and ceremonies, Buddhist    7. Inspirational    8. Inspirational - General    9. Intermediate state    10. Religion    11. Religious aspects    12. Tibetan Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. American    2. Drama    3. Plays    4. Plays / Drama   

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Buddhism - General    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Spirituality - General    6. History / Asia    7. Religion & Theology | Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. 14th cent    2. Bar do thos grol    3. Buddhism    4. Buddhism - General    5. Buddhism - Tibetan    6. China    7. Death    8. Funeral rites and ceremonies, Buddhist    9. Intermediate state    10. Karma-glin-pa,    11. Religion    12. Religion - World Religions    13. Religious aspects    14. Tibet    15. Religion / Buddhism   

Reviews (4)

"Abridged and Simplified" and with nice photos
This is a well-packaged presentation: the paperback is bound well, thick paper is used, the photos are lovely and plentiful, there's ample commentary which is interspersed conveniently with the text.
good for beginers in eastren philosophies
i got this book as a present to a freind who's very into eastren philosophies, he already read parts of the tibetian book of the dead, and i thought that having that followed with photos of tibet might ad another level of understanding to his studing. Beautifully Illustrated
A more accessible version for Westerners of the ancient Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, 'The Great Liberation Through Hearing'.The teaching takes you through each day of the bardo of death with a comprehensive commentary. For anyone with prior Buddhist understanding, the transition between life& death detailed in this book will not come as a shock.However, forthose with no prior knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism it would probably be wiseto start somewhere else like the 'Tibetan Book of Living & Dying' bySogyal Rinpoche.Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Death    4. Funeral rites and ceremonies, Buddhist    5. Intermediate state    6. Philosophy    7. Religion    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Religious aspects   

Subjects:  1. Tibetan Buddhism   

Reviews (1)

Deeper insight into the process of life And death
In a culture that is so death defying, this book offers a beautiful,poetic view ofthe realms that our very conciousness greets as the physical self ceases in its existence.Living in such a linear culture,this book gives a glimpse into the reality of life's cycle- which includesour own death.I have loaned this book to many, many friends, and all havecome away with greater awareness and a calm in which to truly find joy inthis life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bar do thos grol    2. Death    3. Donatelli, Peter    4. Future life    5. Karma-gliṅ-pa   

Subjects:  1. Bar do thos grol    2. Buddhism    3. Death    4. Early works to 1800    5. Funeral rites and ceremonies, Buddhist    6. Intermediate state    7. Karma-gliṅ-pa