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Il libro tibetano del vivere e del morire
Al suo primo incontro con la cultura occidentale, Sogyal Rinpoche rimase costernato nello scoprire che, a dispetto di tutti i suoi successi nel campo tecnologico, la società moderna occidentale non comprende minimamente quel che accade al momento della morte. In Tibet, al contrario, nel corso dei secoli si è sviluppata una vera e propria 'tecnologia sacra' della morte, un'ars moriendi che raccoglie il corpo di conoscenze più accurato, complesso e completo sulla morte e lo stato successivo, o bardo. Il termine 'bardo', letteralmente 'sospeso tra', e quindi 'intervallo, transizione', è un concetto chiave per comprendere la concezione tibetana della vita e della morte. Nel buddhismo tibetano, la vita e la morte appaiono come un tutto costituito da una serie di realtà in mutamento costante, che presentano dei bardo, ovvero giunture di transizione in cui si manifesta la dharmata, la vera natura della mente, illimitata ed eterna. I quattro bardo (della vita, della morte, del dopo morte e della rinascita) offrono quindi una grandissima possibilità di liberazione, ma solo il bardo di questa vita consente di prendere familiarità, tramite la meditazione, con la natura essenziale della mente. Chi si è preparato per tempo attraverso la pratica e la contemplazione dell'impermanenza non vedrà la morte come una disfatta, ma come una vittoria, il momento più fulgido a coronamento dell'esistenza.
404 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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87286 people want to read
About the author
Sogyal Rinpoche
73 books346 followersSogyal Rinpoche (Tibetan: བསོད་རྒྱལ་, Wylie: Bsod-rgyal) was born in the Tibetan Fire Pig year (1947-8) and raised by one of the most revered spiritual masters of this century, Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, who recognized him as the incarnation of Tertön Sogyal Lerab Lingpa (1856-1926). With the Chinese occupation of Tibet, he went into exile with his master, who died in 1959 in Sikkim in the Himalayas. After university studies in Delhi, India, and Cambridge, England, he acted as translator and aide to several leading Tibetan masters and began teaching in the West in 1974. Rinpoche sees his life's task in transplanting the wisdom of Buddha to the West by offering training in the vision set out in The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. This training can enable those who follow it to understand, embody, and integrate Buddhist teachings into their everyday lives.
Rinpoche's reputation as an authority on the teachings associated with The Tibetan Book of the Dead and his dialogue with leading figures in the fields of psychology, science, and healing make him a sought-after speaker at international conferences and lectures. He travels extensively, teaching in Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia, and is the founder and spiritual director of Rigpa, a network of Buddhist centers and groups around the world.
Rinpoche's reputation as an authority on the teachings associated with The Tibetan Book of the Dead and his dialogue with leading figures in the fields of psychology, science, and healing make him a sought-after speaker at international conferences and lectures. He travels extensively, teaching in Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia, and is the founder and spiritual director of Rigpa, a network of Buddhist centers and groups around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,086 reviews
August 17, 2012
I read this book after my 11year old son was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I needed to find some spiritual form of understanding as to what was happening.
The first section of the book deals with how to live well while the second part of the book deals with how to die well. We all acknowledge that it is important to have guidelines as to how to live our life as a compassionate and caring being. Very rarely do we consider that it is equally important to know how to deal with death, be it our own or someone close to us.
I cannot say that this was an easy read as it is quite spiritual and me being a westener, found the wording quite hard work at times, especially when I was so so tired and scared. I remember sitting by my son's bed reading the dying part of this book while he slept. Looking back now, that was 2006, I am not sure how I actually managed to read it, but I can say, that I learned a lot from it and yes, it did comfort me. It taught me the hard lesson of impermanence. Nothing lasts forever, and one of the best things we can do for the dying is to support them in their death and not fly in the face of it.
Most of us wish to rail against our gods when someone so young is dying, especially if that young person is our child but Sogyal Rinpoche's words helped me to accept my son's approaching death calmy and in the final days encourage him to go on his way with my blessings and love.
When sitting down to write a Eulogy for my son's funeral, I took several quotes from this book to help the congregation through their shock and grief.
I would highly reccomend this book to anyone going through this major transition from life to death. However, I was quite used to reading spiritual books prior to acquiring this one but for a newcomer to such esoterism and intense spirituality it may prove to much but hopefully perseverance will prevail.
The first section of the book deals with how to live well while the second part of the book deals with how to die well. We all acknowledge that it is important to have guidelines as to how to live our life as a compassionate and caring being. Very rarely do we consider that it is equally important to know how to deal with death, be it our own or someone close to us.
I cannot say that this was an easy read as it is quite spiritual and me being a westener, found the wording quite hard work at times, especially when I was so so tired and scared. I remember sitting by my son's bed reading the dying part of this book while he slept. Looking back now, that was 2006, I am not sure how I actually managed to read it, but I can say, that I learned a lot from it and yes, it did comfort me. It taught me the hard lesson of impermanence. Nothing lasts forever, and one of the best things we can do for the dying is to support them in their death and not fly in the face of it.
Most of us wish to rail against our gods when someone so young is dying, especially if that young person is our child but Sogyal Rinpoche's words helped me to accept my son's approaching death calmy and in the final days encourage him to go on his way with my blessings and love.
When sitting down to write a Eulogy for my son's funeral, I took several quotes from this book to help the congregation through their shock and grief.
I would highly reccomend this book to anyone going through this major transition from life to death. However, I was quite used to reading spiritual books prior to acquiring this one but for a newcomer to such esoterism and intense spirituality it may prove to much but hopefully perseverance will prevail.
September 8, 2007
I have been reading this book since I got it in 2002. I read, put it down and pick it up again in 3-6 months. It puts into words the most difficult concepts, yet it is so deep in meanings that it takes awhile for me to digest. I started this book while in a job that I dealt with patients who were living yet quickly dying - it helped me deal with my questions of death. And with dealing with those questions I learned about life. I am now 3/4 done. It's ironic that when I pick it up to read, there is an insight to something that's been going on in my life. Am i Buddhist? No, yet this book has brought me closer to my own religious and spiritual beliefs - because God is bigger than one religion.
February 1, 2018
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying is a manual on how to deal with death, but I would argue it has far more to do with life and the living. It is about understanding death and how it will, ultimately, come for all of us. We have one life so we should live it as fully as possible, being mindful in every single situation. It’s not just about how to deal with the consequences of loss, but it’s about understanding how to deal with life. This book gave me the kick I needed and helped propel me out of bad mind-state. I couldn’t have asked for more.
December 26, 2010
First, this is not a direct translation of the Bardo Thodol, commonly known in the West as the 'Tibetan Book of Living & Dying.' Rather it is a broad introduction to Tibetan Buddhist beliefs including the author's interpretation of the teachings contained in the Bardo Thodol. The validity of Sogyal's teachings are generally accepted within the Tibetan Buddhist community. Sogyal Rinpoche received teachings from an early age by highly respected teachers such as Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He liberally quotes his teachers throughout, a strong point of this book.
'The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying,' has a new-age syncretic tone, and has the feel of being written to especially appeal to Western readers unfamiliar with Eastern spiritual traditions. Sogyal quotes such diverse figures as Mother Teresa, Shakespeare, and William Blake imbuing the book with a poetic but sometimes convoluted style. This is unsurprising considering Sogyal received a Western education from an early age culminating in a Comparative Religions degree from Cambridge. Sogyal makes the spiritual path seem so alluring and beautiful, which at first drew me into the book. However as I got further into the text something didn't sit right with me. Bliss and beauty are certainly part of a committed spiritual practice but so are sobering, repetitive hard work, and painful sacrifices. I decided to do some research into the history of the author before investing more energy in the book.
Potential readers should be aware that in 1994 10 women filed a civil lawsuit of $10 million against Sogyal accusing him of 'coercing' them into sexual acts. His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave his blessings to the lawsuit, which was settled out of court. Sogyal also removed his school Rigpa from the tutelage of Dudjom Rinpoche, his late master of whom he writes so reverently in this book, when Dudjom Rinpoche suggested he quit teaching for awhile after news of the allegations against Sogyal reached him. Does this call into question Sogyal's qualifications as a good teacher? Not necessarily. As a practicing master? One can come to their own conclusions. The Dalai Lama has said, "The fact that the teacher may have done many other good things should not keep us silent." and, "the best thing is whenever exploitation, sexual abuse or money abuse happen, make them public."
So as a general introduction to Tibetan Buddhism this is a good book with some major caveats. Sogyal's strengths are as a consummate scholar and his research and selection of quotes are strong and full of wisdom. However I would recommend seeking other sources for those who have already embarked on a path and want to strengthen and deepen their spiritual practice.
'The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying,' has a new-age syncretic tone, and has the feel of being written to especially appeal to Western readers unfamiliar with Eastern spiritual traditions. Sogyal quotes such diverse figures as Mother Teresa, Shakespeare, and William Blake imbuing the book with a poetic but sometimes convoluted style. This is unsurprising considering Sogyal received a Western education from an early age culminating in a Comparative Religions degree from Cambridge. Sogyal makes the spiritual path seem so alluring and beautiful, which at first drew me into the book. However as I got further into the text something didn't sit right with me. Bliss and beauty are certainly part of a committed spiritual practice but so are sobering, repetitive hard work, and painful sacrifices. I decided to do some research into the history of the author before investing more energy in the book.
Potential readers should be aware that in 1994 10 women filed a civil lawsuit of $10 million against Sogyal accusing him of 'coercing' them into sexual acts. His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave his blessings to the lawsuit, which was settled out of court. Sogyal also removed his school Rigpa from the tutelage of Dudjom Rinpoche, his late master of whom he writes so reverently in this book, when Dudjom Rinpoche suggested he quit teaching for awhile after news of the allegations against Sogyal reached him. Does this call into question Sogyal's qualifications as a good teacher? Not necessarily. As a practicing master? One can come to their own conclusions. The Dalai Lama has said, "The fact that the teacher may have done many other good things should not keep us silent." and, "the best thing is whenever exploitation, sexual abuse or money abuse happen, make them public."
So as a general introduction to Tibetan Buddhism this is a good book with some major caveats. Sogyal's strengths are as a consummate scholar and his research and selection of quotes are strong and full of wisdom. However I would recommend seeking other sources for those who have already embarked on a path and want to strengthen and deepen their spiritual practice.
May 24, 2021
Abanar Até Acordar
"Se tudo morre e muda, então o que é realmente verdadeiro? Há alguma coisa por detrás das aparências, algo ilimitado e infinitamente amplo, onde a dança da mudança e impermanência tem lugar? Há algo com que possamos de facto contar, que sobreviva ao que chamamos morte?"
"Saiba que todas as coisas são assim:
Uma miragem, um castelo de nuvens,
Um sonho, uma aparição,
Sem essência, mas com qualidades que podem ser vistas.
Saiba que todas as coisas são assim:
Como a Lua num céu brilhante,
Em algum lago límpido refletida,
Ainda que para esse lago a Lua jamais se tenha movido.
Saiba que todas as coisas são assim:
Tal como um mágico cria ilusões
De cavalos, bois, carroças e outras coisas,
Nada é como parece”
“Por mais que a verdade nos esteja sempre a interromper, preferimos continuar a tentar manter a farsa, com uma petulância vã”
.
.
.
Pois eu estou Farta!
Se é tudo um Sonho...
Quero. Mesmo. Acordar!!!
Um livro para os sedentos de Sentido
Um livro para os buscadores da Verdade...😍👍
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"Se tudo morre e muda, então o que é realmente verdadeiro? Há alguma coisa por detrás das aparências, algo ilimitado e infinitamente amplo, onde a dança da mudança e impermanência tem lugar? Há algo com que possamos de facto contar, que sobreviva ao que chamamos morte?"
"Saiba que todas as coisas são assim:
Uma miragem, um castelo de nuvens,
Um sonho, uma aparição,
Sem essência, mas com qualidades que podem ser vistas.
Saiba que todas as coisas são assim:
Como a Lua num céu brilhante,
Em algum lago límpido refletida,
Ainda que para esse lago a Lua jamais se tenha movido.
Saiba que todas as coisas são assim:
Tal como um mágico cria ilusões
De cavalos, bois, carroças e outras coisas,
Nada é como parece”
“Por mais que a verdade nos esteja sempre a interromper, preferimos continuar a tentar manter a farsa, com uma petulância vã”
.
.
.
Pois eu estou Farta!
Se é tudo um Sonho...
Quero. Mesmo. Acordar!!!
Um livro para os sedentos de Sentido
Um livro para os buscadores da Verdade...😍👍
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
April 8, 2011
I'm on page 134.... reading slowly.
Every time I read a paragraph in this book, I can feel my pulse slow, & my heart open. I drop back into myself and remember why I'm here. I remember to be a human being & not just a human doing. This slowing has happened enough that now even just looking at the book across the room has a similar effect.
My mother loaned me her copy -- not sure she's gonna get it back soon as it is such a powerful reminder for me.
Every time I read a paragraph in this book, I can feel my pulse slow, & my heart open. I drop back into myself and remember why I'm here. I remember to be a human being & not just a human doing. This slowing has happened enough that now even just looking at the book across the room has a similar effect.
My mother loaned me her copy -- not sure she's gonna get it back soon as it is such a powerful reminder for me.
Read
July 10, 2007I'll admit I haven't finsihed it yet...it's one of those books you read a little in, ponder it, leave the book on the bedside and then read some more in later.
October 1, 2024
¿Qué pasará después de la muerte?
Pensar en la muerte aterra, y mucho. ¿Sentiremos dolor cuando sea nuestra hora? ¿Cómo superaremos el dolor de la muerte de nuestros seres más queridos? La sociedad nos educa para mostrarnos fuertes y seguros ante cualquier adversidad, pero con la muerte estas recomendaciones no funcionan. No funcionan porque la incertidumbre de no saber qué ocurrirá después de morir puede ser desesperante. Morir significa «perderlo todo»: cuerpo, vida, relaciones, casa, trabajo, familia... todo, absolutamente todo lo perdemos. Si resultamos afectados cuando sufrimos un hurto o una traición, ¿cómo será de angustiante ser conscientes que nuestro cuerpo está a punto de perecer? En este punto es cuando las diferentes religiones dan sus hipótesis y teorías de lo que debería suceder después de la última exhalación de un ser humano. De esto es lo que trata este libro: Presentar los dogmas respecto a la vida y la muerte en los que, en este caso, creen los tibetanos.
En este libro se explica sobre los beneficios de la meditación, la forma cómo funciona el karma, la utilidad de algunos mantras, pero principalmente se enfatiza en la vida y la muerte. Tengo mis creencias firmes desde pequeño pero me gusta conocer la filosofía y espiritualidad de otras culturas del mundo. Soy curioso por naturaleza y de mente abierta, así que no me molesta leer obras que pueden ir en contra de mis creencias; pero, estoy seguro, que a muchos lectores les molestaría esta lectura por tres razones. Primero, porque el autor escribe con mucha idolatría hacia sus creencias, maestros y supuestos milagros que ha visto; segundo, porque el libro por secciones parece un catecismo sobre las creencias de los tibetanos; y tercero, porque si investigan la vida del autor, descubrirán que fue acusado de violación y otros delitos. Son tres grandes inconvenientes que pueden afectar una óptima experiencia en esta lectura.
Omitiendo esos tres aspectos de los que, obviamente estoy en desacuerdo, mencionaré que el libro tiene mensajes interesantes que pueden ayudarte a reflexionar. Por ejemplo, me gusta la crítica que realiza el autor acerca de lo mal que occidente nos prepara para morir. Según él, en el Tíbet, la muerte no la ven como su enemiga o como el fin, sino como un paso necesario para transmutar en la siguiente vida. Aquellas personas deciden vivir su muerte con aceptación, preparándose con antelación, sin temerle, y con un comportamiento muy pacífico, totalmente diferente al de nuestra cultura. Esta forma de actuar de aquellas personas te da mucho que pensar y es imposible no preguntarnos: Si todos los seres humanos nos enfermamos y morimos por igual, ¿por qué la vivimos de diferente forma? ¿Nos falta educación sobre la muerte? ¿Nos falta aprender a dejar de huirle?
Asimismo, es muy bonita la recomendación de acompañar con una buena actitud a los moribundos en sus últimos instantes de vida. Obviamente estaremos muy tristes y nos dolerá demasiado aceptar la realidad; pero, ese ser, ese moribundo, estará sufriendo mucho más que nosotros en aquel instante. Sumar a su dolor el nuestro, lo hará sufrir más. Sin querer, le haremos más daño que bien. En cambio hablarle con cariño, animarlo, darles paz, pero sobretodo escucharlo y acompañarlo ayudarán muchísimo a que ese ser enfrente ese momento de una forma más llevadera. Sin peleas, sin reclamos, sin preocupaciones. Nada de eso, solo armonía. Sinceramente, esa me parece una invitación muy bonita.
Las explicaciones sobre reencarnación, mantras, meditación y karma me han dejado satisfecho. También se incluyen algunas experiencias de «casi muerte» que me dejaron muy pensativo porque tienen mucha similitud con una vivencia que tuve cuando tenía quince días de nacido. Es un momento inolvidable porque fue el primer recuerdo de toda mi vida. Yo vi mi cuerpo en una incubadora mientras flotaba cerca de él, luego me alejé poco a poco, y resulté acompañando a mi madre en todo su trayecto hacia nuestra casa. No fue un sueño, ni tampoco una ilusión porque ese momento lo recuerdo muy vívidamente, incluso con colores. Y sé que tampoco fue un sueño porque en esos instantes comprendía todo a la perfección: Sabía quiénes eran mis padres, sus nombres y vidas; conocía el lugar donde vivía; distinguía perfectamente a cada uno de mis hermanos y primos; entendía el español como si ya lo hubiera aprendido. ¡Y solo tenía quince días de nacido, no era posible conocer esta información! Esa experiencia fue muy bonita y reveladora. Lo mejor es que, al crecer, le conté a mi madre mi experiencia, y ella corroboró, parte por parte, la veracidad de mi historia. En este libro, una experiencia como la mía es descrita como «casi muerte». Según la información de este libro, ese día yo estaba muriéndome y nadie se enteró. Esa experiencia me da la confianza y seguridad de creer en lo espiritual. Me da el impulso necesario para seguir investigando y aprendiendo sobre aquellos temas, como los que se presentan en este libro.
En resumen, una obra que no recomiendo si eres muy sensible con relación a tus creencias, o si eres demasiado escéptico sobre estos temas. Con mentalidad abierta, se disfruta la lectura. Con otra disposición, no vale la pena intentarlo.
Pensar en la muerte aterra, y mucho. ¿Sentiremos dolor cuando sea nuestra hora? ¿Cómo superaremos el dolor de la muerte de nuestros seres más queridos? La sociedad nos educa para mostrarnos fuertes y seguros ante cualquier adversidad, pero con la muerte estas recomendaciones no funcionan. No funcionan porque la incertidumbre de no saber qué ocurrirá después de morir puede ser desesperante. Morir significa «perderlo todo»: cuerpo, vida, relaciones, casa, trabajo, familia... todo, absolutamente todo lo perdemos. Si resultamos afectados cuando sufrimos un hurto o una traición, ¿cómo será de angustiante ser conscientes que nuestro cuerpo está a punto de perecer? En este punto es cuando las diferentes religiones dan sus hipótesis y teorías de lo que debería suceder después de la última exhalación de un ser humano. De esto es lo que trata este libro: Presentar los dogmas respecto a la vida y la muerte en los que, en este caso, creen los tibetanos.
En este libro se explica sobre los beneficios de la meditación, la forma cómo funciona el karma, la utilidad de algunos mantras, pero principalmente se enfatiza en la vida y la muerte. Tengo mis creencias firmes desde pequeño pero me gusta conocer la filosofía y espiritualidad de otras culturas del mundo. Soy curioso por naturaleza y de mente abierta, así que no me molesta leer obras que pueden ir en contra de mis creencias; pero, estoy seguro, que a muchos lectores les molestaría esta lectura por tres razones. Primero, porque el autor escribe con mucha idolatría hacia sus creencias, maestros y supuestos milagros que ha visto; segundo, porque el libro por secciones parece un catecismo sobre las creencias de los tibetanos; y tercero, porque si investigan la vida del autor, descubrirán que fue acusado de violación y otros delitos. Son tres grandes inconvenientes que pueden afectar una óptima experiencia en esta lectura.
Omitiendo esos tres aspectos de los que, obviamente estoy en desacuerdo, mencionaré que el libro tiene mensajes interesantes que pueden ayudarte a reflexionar. Por ejemplo, me gusta la crítica que realiza el autor acerca de lo mal que occidente nos prepara para morir. Según él, en el Tíbet, la muerte no la ven como su enemiga o como el fin, sino como un paso necesario para transmutar en la siguiente vida. Aquellas personas deciden vivir su muerte con aceptación, preparándose con antelación, sin temerle, y con un comportamiento muy pacífico, totalmente diferente al de nuestra cultura. Esta forma de actuar de aquellas personas te da mucho que pensar y es imposible no preguntarnos: Si todos los seres humanos nos enfermamos y morimos por igual, ¿por qué la vivimos de diferente forma? ¿Nos falta educación sobre la muerte? ¿Nos falta aprender a dejar de huirle?
Asimismo, es muy bonita la recomendación de acompañar con una buena actitud a los moribundos en sus últimos instantes de vida. Obviamente estaremos muy tristes y nos dolerá demasiado aceptar la realidad; pero, ese ser, ese moribundo, estará sufriendo mucho más que nosotros en aquel instante. Sumar a su dolor el nuestro, lo hará sufrir más. Sin querer, le haremos más daño que bien. En cambio hablarle con cariño, animarlo, darles paz, pero sobretodo escucharlo y acompañarlo ayudarán muchísimo a que ese ser enfrente ese momento de una forma más llevadera. Sin peleas, sin reclamos, sin preocupaciones. Nada de eso, solo armonía. Sinceramente, esa me parece una invitación muy bonita.
Las explicaciones sobre reencarnación, mantras, meditación y karma me han dejado satisfecho. También se incluyen algunas experiencias de «casi muerte» que me dejaron muy pensativo porque tienen mucha similitud con una vivencia que tuve cuando tenía quince días de nacido. Es un momento inolvidable porque fue el primer recuerdo de toda mi vida. Yo vi mi cuerpo en una incubadora mientras flotaba cerca de él, luego me alejé poco a poco, y resulté acompañando a mi madre en todo su trayecto hacia nuestra casa. No fue un sueño, ni tampoco una ilusión porque ese momento lo recuerdo muy vívidamente, incluso con colores. Y sé que tampoco fue un sueño porque en esos instantes comprendía todo a la perfección: Sabía quiénes eran mis padres, sus nombres y vidas; conocía el lugar donde vivía; distinguía perfectamente a cada uno de mis hermanos y primos; entendía el español como si ya lo hubiera aprendido. ¡Y solo tenía quince días de nacido, no era posible conocer esta información! Esa experiencia fue muy bonita y reveladora. Lo mejor es que, al crecer, le conté a mi madre mi experiencia, y ella corroboró, parte por parte, la veracidad de mi historia. En este libro, una experiencia como la mía es descrita como «casi muerte». Según la información de este libro, ese día yo estaba muriéndome y nadie se enteró. Esa experiencia me da la confianza y seguridad de creer en lo espiritual. Me da el impulso necesario para seguir investigando y aprendiendo sobre aquellos temas, como los que se presentan en este libro.
En resumen, una obra que no recomiendo si eres muy sensible con relación a tus creencias, o si eres demasiado escéptico sobre estos temas. Con mentalidad abierta, se disfruta la lectura. Con otra disposición, no vale la pena intentarlo.
October 13, 2017
I love this book with a passion. The Essential Phowa practice has sustained me through so much loss and I have practiced it countless times over many years.
So many sad losses - beautiful A'ine who was only 17 and sent a butterfly as she continued on her journey. My soul sister, Margaret, how I miss her.
I was so privileged to be able to practice this for my beloved mum while she was dying - the most profoundly spiritual experience which I treasure more than words can say.
The most poignant time was while miscarrying one of my babies alone in the bathroom. The more you practice the Phowa the more it becomes part of you. The most important time to practice is right at the moment of death and it was only because it is so much a part of my life that I was able to immediately move into the practice in spite of my pain and distress.
This book deepened my compassion and gave me a tool that is invaluable..I am so grateful I found it.
You don't have to be a Buddhist to practice the Phowa, you can focus on any deity that has meaning for you or just on your own personal symbol of light.
So many sad losses - beautiful A'ine who was only 17 and sent a butterfly as she continued on her journey. My soul sister, Margaret, how I miss her.
I was so privileged to be able to practice this for my beloved mum while she was dying - the most profoundly spiritual experience which I treasure more than words can say.
The most poignant time was while miscarrying one of my babies alone in the bathroom. The more you practice the Phowa the more it becomes part of you. The most important time to practice is right at the moment of death and it was only because it is so much a part of my life that I was able to immediately move into the practice in spite of my pain and distress.
This book deepened my compassion and gave me a tool that is invaluable..I am so grateful I found it.
You don't have to be a Buddhist to practice the Phowa, you can focus on any deity that has meaning for you or just on your own personal symbol of light.
October 25, 2009
I read this book and took from it what I needed and left the weird stuff for others. What I took was significant and very helpful, and I keep this book around to re-read those passages. I believe anyone can find something in this book useful to them personally, but probably not all of it. Prepare to be frightened when you come across the writing that speaks to you, most likely at the start. If you are broken and as spiritually wounded as I was when I began this book, also prepare to be overwhelmed. But it is very possible you will find peace, solace, and maybe even change some of your life and thinking habits for the better. It holds very healing advice.
From a text book point of view, if your interest is restricted wholly to understanding the concept of Buddhism, this book is well written, very clear, and aimed specifically to the Western reader with all things laid out for the purpose of our being able to understand the religion. I can't imagine anyone not gleaning something useful from "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying."
From a text book point of view, if your interest is restricted wholly to understanding the concept of Buddhism, this book is well written, very clear, and aimed specifically to the Western reader with all things laid out for the purpose of our being able to understand the religion. I can't imagine anyone not gleaning something useful from "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying."
July 4, 2023
I am appalled by the sexual abuse this author Sogyal Rinpoche did and was proven. Truly disturbing the mental manipulation, physical abuse and beatings and the horrific sexual abuse. Not to mention the use of donation money to fund his lifestyle while being praised as having a “modest lifestyle” by other teachers that knew him. If you really look into detail what sort of things he did it is truly sickening.
All of these allegations started to come out in the 90s but were pushed down until 2017. But before that many high up leaders knew of these allegations but decided to not mention it until it couldn’t be hidden anymore until 2017. That’s when the Dalai Lama finally mentioned it and denounced Sogyals actions even though he knew of the claims before. Sogyal was said to have an inner circle of people close to him who were also spiritual Buddhist teachers who knew of his actions but did not say anything. As usual a cover up in these religions in the higher ups.
What he did to his victims was complete cult mentality. Truly disturbing and sickening, I hope all his victims got the healing they need.
The Book
Even before I found out about these acts, the book was very dry and boring to me. The author seemed condescending in the way he would talk about subjects and some of the ideology was a bit disturbing and stupid for me. For example the fact the you have to let go of all ego and succumb to these teachers to truly learn. To trust in them and know that if something doesn’t make sense now it will later. And these teachers always have your best interests at heart, and you should fully trust them to show true devotion to them and the faith. Critical thinking is a good thing you should not blindly follow something.
Also there was a lot of mysticism in these stories and just over dramatics like I was watching a Hollywood film with these spiritual teachers who are all knowing who spread their teachings, like Yoda.
I also hate that in some of these religions it always seems like there’s some secret knowledge or practices that us mere mortals don’t have. It just gives me a weird feeling. That they preach that we are all equal but you can clearly see hierarchy’s in their religion.
What I’ve learnt
I have learnt that even if I still believe in a lot of the beliefs in Buddhism and practises, in any religion we should not be worshiping these spiritual teachers as Gods and all knowing and wise. They are human like us, don’t put these people on pedestals, it always makes me uncomfortable. I believe the same thing as pop stars and actors they are not above us, and we should not think they are. Yes in every religion there are good teachings to be learnt, but at the end of the day there are positives and negatives to all religions. It seems like a lot more negatives on some days.
Don’t take this as me denouncing Buddhism I still believe there are many great Buddhist books out there and a lot of good Buddhist teachings for example I always go back to the book “The Buddhist Guide for Teens” as it’s a book I really connect with and there is no wishy washy nonsense but gets straight to the practices and what you can do and when I read that book and did some of the practices i did actually feel I was becoming a better person (saying that my practice went down hill when I was really busy with school work years ago lol but I always know I will go back to it).
Just be cautious about what you read and the people you follow. These people are not higher than you and don’t let people condescend to you.
All of these allegations started to come out in the 90s but were pushed down until 2017. But before that many high up leaders knew of these allegations but decided to not mention it until it couldn’t be hidden anymore until 2017. That’s when the Dalai Lama finally mentioned it and denounced Sogyals actions even though he knew of the claims before. Sogyal was said to have an inner circle of people close to him who were also spiritual Buddhist teachers who knew of his actions but did not say anything. As usual a cover up in these religions in the higher ups.
What he did to his victims was complete cult mentality. Truly disturbing and sickening, I hope all his victims got the healing they need.
The Book
Even before I found out about these acts, the book was very dry and boring to me. The author seemed condescending in the way he would talk about subjects and some of the ideology was a bit disturbing and stupid for me. For example the fact the you have to let go of all ego and succumb to these teachers to truly learn. To trust in them and know that if something doesn’t make sense now it will later. And these teachers always have your best interests at heart, and you should fully trust them to show true devotion to them and the faith. Critical thinking is a good thing you should not blindly follow something.
Also there was a lot of mysticism in these stories and just over dramatics like I was watching a Hollywood film with these spiritual teachers who are all knowing who spread their teachings, like Yoda.
I also hate that in some of these religions it always seems like there’s some secret knowledge or practices that us mere mortals don’t have. It just gives me a weird feeling. That they preach that we are all equal but you can clearly see hierarchy’s in their religion.
What I’ve learnt
I have learnt that even if I still believe in a lot of the beliefs in Buddhism and practises, in any religion we should not be worshiping these spiritual teachers as Gods and all knowing and wise. They are human like us, don’t put these people on pedestals, it always makes me uncomfortable. I believe the same thing as pop stars and actors they are not above us, and we should not think they are. Yes in every religion there are good teachings to be learnt, but at the end of the day there are positives and negatives to all religions. It seems like a lot more negatives on some days.
Don’t take this as me denouncing Buddhism I still believe there are many great Buddhist books out there and a lot of good Buddhist teachings for example I always go back to the book “The Buddhist Guide for Teens” as it’s a book I really connect with and there is no wishy washy nonsense but gets straight to the practices and what you can do and when I read that book and did some of the practices i did actually feel I was becoming a better person (saying that my practice went down hill when I was really busy with school work years ago lol but I always know I will go back to it).
Just be cautious about what you read and the people you follow. These people are not higher than you and don’t let people condescend to you.
October 16, 2009
I first read the so-called ‘Tibetan Book of the Dead’, in the acclaimed 1927 Evans-Wentz translation, some twenty years ago and found it pretty heavy going. At the same time, I appreciated that it was packed with the wisdom of the ages and wished that it could have been more accessible, rather than reading like an early twentieth century German academic tract by a von-someone at Heidelberg University. So after stumbling upon Rinpoche’s book recently I was delighted to find that it was written in the clear and informative style I wanted, and was moreover endorsed by such luminaries as John Cleese and Joanna Lumley. In the field of religion it’s sometimes reassuring to know that you’re not reading something completely obscure and loopy. You have to be eased gently into these things; otherwise you’ll find yourself on a tide of introversion that might land you in a psychiatric hospital. Browse the surface for nutritious plankton, but avoid the cold and murky deep, is my approach. Dig out the cockles, by all means, but at the same time keep an eye on the treacherous tides.
Anyway, to get back to the book, the first few chapters especially are a grand meditation on death. Rinpoche very gently and simply points out where we’re going wrong in our Western materialism, and you can’t really argue with what he says. Very occasionally you come across a book that puts into words what nobody else seems to say but what has been blindingly obvious to you for as long as you can remember: ‘Yes! That’s it, exactly!’ you feel like shouting. ‘Where have you been all my life?’ Well, this is one of those books.
As I say, the first few chapters about attitudes to death in the West and where we are going wrong are fascinating, although the later chapters on yoga and meditation did not really take my fancy. I find the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer fascinating reading as well, but when they start saying things such as you have to go to church to be saved and all the rest of it I tend to switch off. You have to devote your life to something like yoga, and there’s not much chance of me finding a ‘master’, so I’m happy, with Samuel Beckett, to be left alone with my books to make of them what I can, without the organisational superstructure. I don’t like groups.
And Buddhism does make a great deal of sense. I can well imagine, for example, that the soul on death becomes surrounded by objectifications of the person’s actions and desires when alive, so that what you do in life comes back at you like a boomerang when you die. I watched a documentary once about an explorer who lived with some remote tribe in the Amazon rain forest, and was allowed to take part in some dangerous ceremony in which he was spiritually ‘purified’ by taking a natural drug as a part of the ceremonies. Later, he described how it felt: all things are connected, and he felt every bad thing he had ever done as the person on the receiving end of it had felt. He planned to find everyone he’d ever harmed in word or deed and apologise to them, to put things right. This is justice that feels right: it is absolutely fair that the good are rewarded and the bad get their comeuppance – and that it is what you yourself have done that recoils on you rather than that you are punished by some higher being. When you think you’re hurting others you’re just hurting yourself. This ties in with the teaching of other religions and with modern psychology: you create your own heaven and your own hell. If God is love, He doesn’t want us to harm ourselves like this. Put your hand in the fire and it’s going to hurt.
As far as I’m concerned, the spiritual experience is like a diamond, and the various religious approaches are its facets. They all talk essentially about the same thing, but the human urge for separation and conflict has roughened the edges of each somewhat so that they don’t fit together as harmoniously as they should, to the point where they often seem more like competing businesses than reflections of the same divine truth.
This book doesn’t tell you that you should become a Buddhist and that this is the only way to attain salvation and avoid hell. The ‘you’re either with us or against us’ point of view is wholly alien to it. It is almost scientific in its impartiality, simply pointing out what the case is. It all makes perfect sense, wherever you’re coming from: we have to get back to incorporating death into our everyday lives, because just not thinking about it is the most unhealthy approach of all.
January 27, 2009
The author, Sogyal Rinpoche, is a prolific Buddhist Teacher as well as the founder of many Buddhist Centers worldwide, including Lerab Ling in the South of France, which I think is his best-known retreat center.
Anyway, to quote wikipedia:
"In 1983, Rinpoche participated in the ‘New Dimensions in Death and Dying’ conference in California. This brought Rinpoche in touch with the work of Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and Professor Kenneth Ring in the fields of hospice care and near-death research."
Consequently, the contents of this book are borne out of his experience in the field of hospice care and the dying.
This was actually my primary text of sorts at the beginning of 2000. I spent about 3 months studying this text and it greatly helped to transform the way I viewed death and convinced me of the absolute need to not only accept death, but to--in a sense--embrace it by making it your friend, your constant companion, your ultimate destination.
Because ... well ... because frankly, it is.
For anyone dealing with death, grief or even an ingrown toenail, I recommend this book ;^)
No, really, it's a must-read. If I could only keep two or three books, this one would definitely be one of them.
Anyway, to quote wikipedia:
"In 1983, Rinpoche participated in the ‘New Dimensions in Death and Dying’ conference in California. This brought Rinpoche in touch with the work of Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and Professor Kenneth Ring in the fields of hospice care and near-death research."
Consequently, the contents of this book are borne out of his experience in the field of hospice care and the dying.
This was actually my primary text of sorts at the beginning of 2000. I spent about 3 months studying this text and it greatly helped to transform the way I viewed death and convinced me of the absolute need to not only accept death, but to--in a sense--embrace it by making it your friend, your constant companion, your ultimate destination.
Because ... well ... because frankly, it is.
For anyone dealing with death, grief or even an ingrown toenail, I recommend this book ;^)
No, really, it's a must-read. If I could only keep two or three books, this one would definitely be one of them.
August 21, 2010
Couldnt finish it, what a droll read, no offence placid buddhist dudes, but you are boring as batshit.
March 4, 2012
This book will change your life. This acclaimed spiritual masterpiece is widely regarded as one of the most complete and authoritative presentations of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings ever written. A manual for life and death and a magnificent source of sacred inspiration from the heart of the Tibetan tradition, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying provides a lucid and inspiring introduction to the practice of meditation, to the nature of mind, to karma and rebirth, to compassionate love and care for the dying, and to the trials and rewards of the spiritual path.
Sogyal Rinpoche was born in Tibet and raised by one of the most revered spiritual masters of this century, Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. With the Chinese occupation of Tibet, he went into exile with his master, who died in 1959 in Sikkim in the Himalayas. After university studies in Delhi and Cambridge, England, he acted as translator and aide to several leading Tibetan masters, and began teaching in the West in 1974. Rinpoche sees his life's task in transplanting the wisdom of Buddha to the West by offering training in the vision set out in The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. This training can enable those who follow it to understand, embody, and integrate Buddhist teachings into their everyday lives.
Rinpoche's reputation as an authority on the teachings associated with The Tibetan Book of the Dead and his dialogue with leading figures in the fields of psychology, science, and healing make him a sought-after speaker at international conferences and lectures. He travels extensively, teaching in Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia, and is the founder and spiritual director of Rigpa, a network of Buddhist centers and groups around the world.
Sogyal Rinpoche was born in Tibet and raised by one of the most revered spiritual masters of this century, Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. With the Chinese occupation of Tibet, he went into exile with his master, who died in 1959 in Sikkim in the Himalayas. After university studies in Delhi and Cambridge, England, he acted as translator and aide to several leading Tibetan masters, and began teaching in the West in 1974. Rinpoche sees his life's task in transplanting the wisdom of Buddha to the West by offering training in the vision set out in The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. This training can enable those who follow it to understand, embody, and integrate Buddhist teachings into their everyday lives.
Rinpoche's reputation as an authority on the teachings associated with The Tibetan Book of the Dead and his dialogue with leading figures in the fields of psychology, science, and healing make him a sought-after speaker at international conferences and lectures. He travels extensively, teaching in Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia, and is the founder and spiritual director of Rigpa, a network of Buddhist centers and groups around the world.
December 9, 2013
Though I am finished with this book, it is not going back on its shelf. I'm placing it right next to my meditation spot and intend to put its words to use in my practice. And when the time comes that I or a loved one has the opportunity to prepare for death, I again expect to keep this book close at hand.
I read this book right after walking away from a serious car accident with only bruises. My years of yoga training served me well during the accident and its aftermath, but I knew that it was time to open this book and dig more deeply into the process and meaning of life and death while I still had the chance.
Within, I found practical, down-to-earth advice on how to live, why we live, and how to die. Sogyal Rinpoche covers every conceivable situation a person could encounter and stresses the importance of preparation through meditation at every stage. He also tells inspiring stories and helps the reader to approach these big, often scary topics with a relaxed, open mind.
I am grateful for having had the chance to read this book, and I hope to ensure in my own life that its wisdom was not passed along in vain. Thank you, Sogyal Rinpoche, for helping me to see more clearly the purpose of my own life and to be less afraid of both living and dying.
I read this book right after walking away from a serious car accident with only bruises. My years of yoga training served me well during the accident and its aftermath, but I knew that it was time to open this book and dig more deeply into the process and meaning of life and death while I still had the chance.
Within, I found practical, down-to-earth advice on how to live, why we live, and how to die. Sogyal Rinpoche covers every conceivable situation a person could encounter and stresses the importance of preparation through meditation at every stage. He also tells inspiring stories and helps the reader to approach these big, often scary topics with a relaxed, open mind.
I am grateful for having had the chance to read this book, and I hope to ensure in my own life that its wisdom was not passed along in vain. Thank you, Sogyal Rinpoche, for helping me to see more clearly the purpose of my own life and to be less afraid of both living and dying.
January 15, 2023
When we read things matters just as much as what we read and re-reading important books is maybe more important than heading onto something new. This particularly with books containing universal truths - they will constanlty speak to you in new ways - everything is a microcosm of ultimate reality in that way, change is constant but the underlying ground is never ending never changing. The truth is the truth no matter what face it puts on or what language it uses. My book reviews end up being more personal reflection in light of the book which is the best I can do. We will all see it differently.
I first read this book in the mid 2000s when I was married to a wife who passed in 2011 after we divorced. This weekend is the anniversary of her death by overdose - the insights around the bardos in this book has impacted greatly my view of her spirit and has explained some things I've seen this past year that I thought were obvious synchronicities which I could not explain. This month is the 10 year anniversary of my public shahadah in a mosque in Pennsylvania. This year is the 10 year anniversary of my leaving the States - 7 of those spent in Jordan and the UAE and 3 now in the Caribbean.
I have felt compelled recently to re-examine the roots of many things in life and before I realized what was happening or the significance of important dates, I was finding myself compelled to start up deep mystical studies (re-visits in many cases) and deeper focus on prayer once again. I am a Muslim I will be until I leave this life but with loaded words such as religious names or labels you will immediately have an impression that may be nothing of what I mean or might be completely different to your interpretation. My view of Islam is it's a tool or a language to find God or Self-realization whatever your image of God - we need points of reference to deeply investigate or come to realize the nature of things. The religion is not god. Yet many make religion that way.
I've found the prayers the most signficant part of the faith (due to the disciplined mindfulness - meditation in effect - it requires for focus on consistency at directing your mind during abrupt moments of the day). Islamic meditation starts with the Salah. Master focus in the Salah - it's much more difficult than people imagine. You might not be able to name much other external "Islamic" observation from me (whatever that means anyway) even the prayers are personal and not living in a Muslim country is not something I advertise due to the impact it might have which would not be my intention and would tarnish the essence - there's too much importance on external forms. My worldview is shaped on the ultimate ONE as articulated by Islam (Sufism particularly) but represented in all faiths and systems of love - doesn't even have to be "religion". Again, it's simply a language. I was raised Christian, I've learned a good deal of yoga from a Buddhist in Jordan and that learning process is continuing with yogis currently around me. I find more human love and the meaning of God in atheists most times than religious people and I find it absurd to think that the divine would care what name we use for it if the essence is accurate - if intent has the "wrong" name but has found the truth in essence won't the results speak for themselves? Test things by what they produce.
Sciences of the mind and physical body which are not tied to any tradition are something that the East has taken the necessary time to perfect. It's science because these methods while by default spiritual are completely practical. Meaning that all the insights have been worked out through observation of the human mind in meditation and in the cases I'm referring to observation of the human body in physical yoga practice. You can observe with your own eyes and skeptical reason the success of these methods or better try them yourself and see what happens. No belief system required nor tradition attached. Rinpoche goes into great detail on different states of meditation in particular - tying those states directly to states we will experience after death. All of these sciences or methods are coming together experientally (not just intellectualy) with my spiritual paradigm of Tawhid. It's caused nothing but gratitude that I've lived even this long to realize certain things before I leave this life.
Rinpoche spends a whole chapter on descriptions of near death experiences to support his descriptions of various states we will experience after death. I've had a near-death experience of my own in a car accident in 2009 and the descriptions in that chapter of the all encompassing light, the feelings of peace, the certainy, etc... very much matched up with my own memories.
I cannot recommend this enough no matter your belief system or "no" system.
I first read this book in the mid 2000s when I was married to a wife who passed in 2011 after we divorced. This weekend is the anniversary of her death by overdose - the insights around the bardos in this book has impacted greatly my view of her spirit and has explained some things I've seen this past year that I thought were obvious synchronicities which I could not explain. This month is the 10 year anniversary of my public shahadah in a mosque in Pennsylvania. This year is the 10 year anniversary of my leaving the States - 7 of those spent in Jordan and the UAE and 3 now in the Caribbean.
I have felt compelled recently to re-examine the roots of many things in life and before I realized what was happening or the significance of important dates, I was finding myself compelled to start up deep mystical studies (re-visits in many cases) and deeper focus on prayer once again. I am a Muslim I will be until I leave this life but with loaded words such as religious names or labels you will immediately have an impression that may be nothing of what I mean or might be completely different to your interpretation. My view of Islam is it's a tool or a language to find God or Self-realization whatever your image of God - we need points of reference to deeply investigate or come to realize the nature of things. The religion is not god. Yet many make religion that way.
I've found the prayers the most signficant part of the faith (due to the disciplined mindfulness - meditation in effect - it requires for focus on consistency at directing your mind during abrupt moments of the day). Islamic meditation starts with the Salah. Master focus in the Salah - it's much more difficult than people imagine. You might not be able to name much other external "Islamic" observation from me (whatever that means anyway) even the prayers are personal and not living in a Muslim country is not something I advertise due to the impact it might have which would not be my intention and would tarnish the essence - there's too much importance on external forms. My worldview is shaped on the ultimate ONE as articulated by Islam (Sufism particularly) but represented in all faiths and systems of love - doesn't even have to be "religion". Again, it's simply a language. I was raised Christian, I've learned a good deal of yoga from a Buddhist in Jordan and that learning process is continuing with yogis currently around me. I find more human love and the meaning of God in atheists most times than religious people and I find it absurd to think that the divine would care what name we use for it if the essence is accurate - if intent has the "wrong" name but has found the truth in essence won't the results speak for themselves? Test things by what they produce.
Sciences of the mind and physical body which are not tied to any tradition are something that the East has taken the necessary time to perfect. It's science because these methods while by default spiritual are completely practical. Meaning that all the insights have been worked out through observation of the human mind in meditation and in the cases I'm referring to observation of the human body in physical yoga practice. You can observe with your own eyes and skeptical reason the success of these methods or better try them yourself and see what happens. No belief system required nor tradition attached. Rinpoche goes into great detail on different states of meditation in particular - tying those states directly to states we will experience after death. All of these sciences or methods are coming together experientally (not just intellectualy) with my spiritual paradigm of Tawhid. It's caused nothing but gratitude that I've lived even this long to realize certain things before I leave this life.
Rinpoche spends a whole chapter on descriptions of near death experiences to support his descriptions of various states we will experience after death. I've had a near-death experience of my own in a car accident in 2009 and the descriptions in that chapter of the all encompassing light, the feelings of peace, the certainy, etc... very much matched up with my own memories.
I cannot recommend this enough no matter your belief system or "no" system.
May 29, 2011
Parts of this book are interesting, but overall it kind of starts to drag in the middle. I appreciated a look at life, death, and justice from a completely different perspective. It also does represent a considerably more balanced perspective on life and death than most of American culture has at present. However, I cannot understand anyone looking at the world and coming away believing that there aren't truly evil people. And it's too much of a stretch to think about colored humors attached to my senses providing my life essence. My Western-ness is showing.
The discussion of science and religion at the end should not have been attempted. It distracts from his actual point and is poorly accomplished. Science is a Western formulation; its constructs simply have nothing to do with Eastern ones. In general, the pursuit of science ignores religion. In the rare cases they overlap, we do require them to agree. But Sogyal Rinpoche cannot do the mathematics required to understand the physics on which he is commenting. Therefore, he cannot understand it, and cannot hope to meaningfully discuss how it might relate to his beliefs. Furthermore, he ignores the importance of Kant to both physics and philosophy, and the devotion of countless Orthodox Jews to physics, while musing on the possible contributions of a devoted genius scientist-theologian. His discussion of unity also misses the point of any serious intellectual considering unification; Camus detailed the intellectual struggle against the impossibility of unification in "The Myth of Sisyphus." Sogyal Rinpoche's approach, similar to that of the decried French existentialists and Husserl, he deemed intellectual suicide.
The discussion of science and religion at the end should not have been attempted. It distracts from his actual point and is poorly accomplished. Science is a Western formulation; its constructs simply have nothing to do with Eastern ones. In general, the pursuit of science ignores religion. In the rare cases they overlap, we do require them to agree. But Sogyal Rinpoche cannot do the mathematics required to understand the physics on which he is commenting. Therefore, he cannot understand it, and cannot hope to meaningfully discuss how it might relate to his beliefs. Furthermore, he ignores the importance of Kant to both physics and philosophy, and the devotion of countless Orthodox Jews to physics, while musing on the possible contributions of a devoted genius scientist-theologian. His discussion of unity also misses the point of any serious intellectual considering unification; Camus detailed the intellectual struggle against the impossibility of unification in "The Myth of Sisyphus." Sogyal Rinpoche's approach, similar to that of the decried French existentialists and Husserl, he deemed intellectual suicide.
May 15, 2011
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying is a beautiful book, full of truth and wisdom. I have been reading it off and on for the past couple of years and finally finished it. What I really love about this book is that it puts the ancient teachings of Buddha in a modern context and addresses many alarming problems with modern society that are leading our world toward destruction. One of these problems is that Western society has dismissed spirituality in favor of a "see to believe" attitude based on empiricism, the senses, and on the limited perspectives of humans. This can especially be seen in the attitudes toward medicine, death and dying. This book is eye-opening and I think everyone should read it. Now that I have finally finished reading and understood the many messages of this book, I will be looking for more books on Buddhism and eventually plan to find a teacher or temple. I would also like to visit Asia again, this time with more knowledge and appreciation for Eastern philosophy.
April 22, 2019
well now i must say this book is really meking me want to return to my ow religion not in the form that i used to know! in fact by reading this book i find some unfathomable parts of my religion exolained (not that my religion is hard...in the contrary its really easy but there is no one who can explain it well) so every page and chapter i read makes me want to read more and understand more! (though there are some things in the book that i just can`t accept ( the concept od rebirth for example which is copletely beside the point) but these do not interfere with the base and essence of the book which i know now for a fact is shared in all religions.
now the fever is past....and really i heared and read some unpleseant things about the author so for the past few months i have been contemplating whether to keep on reading or not...i mean the book on itself is really amazing and beautiful like it solved many of my problems but the author...
now the fever is past....and really i heared and read some unpleseant things about the author so for the past few months i have been contemplating whether to keep on reading or not...i mean the book on itself is really amazing and beautiful like it solved many of my problems but the author...
gave-up-on-reading
April 30, 2010Sigh, I'm not so keen on this whole belief in literal reincarnation business (even with the nuances he throws in).
----
I eventually gave up on reading this book around chapter 17 or so. It just drove me batty, the luminous this and extraordinary that. Sorry if I'm just being close-minded. (I will say that chapter 11 of this book is actually really really good, with the exception of a couple of crystal-radiant paragraphs, it showed a genuine compassion for the dying, very touching, offering the dying what they need rather than what you want). Otherwise, I don't see why people hold this in such esteem. Why do we want things to be so amazing and mindblowing?
----
I eventually gave up on reading this book around chapter 17 or so. It just drove me batty, the luminous this and extraordinary that. Sorry if I'm just being close-minded. (I will say that chapter 11 of this book is actually really really good, with the exception of a couple of crystal-radiant paragraphs, it showed a genuine compassion for the dying, very touching, offering the dying what they need rather than what you want). Otherwise, I don't see why people hold this in such esteem. Why do we want things to be so amazing and mindblowing?
August 18, 2011
As a Westerner, I find Eastern philosophy at once simple and complex: the basic tenets of Buddhism and Eastern religion appear to be very simple (consideration for all living things, consciousness of all our actions and the knowledge that every action affects others, and a "forsaking" of the permanence of material things), but for those of us who've built our lives and measured our success by the acquisition of these very things, it's a hard sell.
The main message I've been getting from the book (which a good friend and bandmate gave me to help me with the impending death of my mother) is that the greatest gift we can give to a dying person is a "good death." We do this by comforting them, reassuring them that they are loved and valued and that their life has made a great impact. (At least that's what I've been doing!)
I find that the book tends to bang us over the head with dozens of metaphors on a single page ("think of a babbling stream..." then, two sentences later, "think of a frozen iceberg," etc.), but the messages of spirituality and reflection are very refreshing and welcome in our grasping world.
The main message I've been getting from the book (which a good friend and bandmate gave me to help me with the impending death of my mother) is that the greatest gift we can give to a dying person is a "good death." We do this by comforting them, reassuring them that they are loved and valued and that their life has made a great impact. (At least that's what I've been doing!)
I find that the book tends to bang us over the head with dozens of metaphors on a single page ("think of a babbling stream..." then, two sentences later, "think of a frozen iceberg," etc.), but the messages of spirituality and reflection are very refreshing and welcome in our grasping world.
May 24, 2010
I cannot recommend the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying highly enough. I believe it is one of the most important books for anyone in the modern world to read.
The premise as I see it is: 1) throughout the modern world, our fear, avoidance, or shrugging off of death and dying is an enormous cause of our personal and collective spiritual suffering, as well as social injustices and environmental unraveling; 2) the possibility of understanding death clearly, using our lives to prepare for death, and wholeheartedly living our lives free of suffering is available to us in every single moment; and 3) there is a path by which to practice the integration and embrace of death & dying into our lives.
Besides illuminating insights into some of the most persistent questions of what it means to be a human being, it's written in extremely conversational and accessible language. Read it now!!
You can actually download it for free here:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&so...
The premise as I see it is: 1) throughout the modern world, our fear, avoidance, or shrugging off of death and dying is an enormous cause of our personal and collective spiritual suffering, as well as social injustices and environmental unraveling; 2) the possibility of understanding death clearly, using our lives to prepare for death, and wholeheartedly living our lives free of suffering is available to us in every single moment; and 3) there is a path by which to practice the integration and embrace of death & dying into our lives.
Besides illuminating insights into some of the most persistent questions of what it means to be a human being, it's written in extremely conversational and accessible language. Read it now!!
You can actually download it for free here:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&so...
August 5, 2014
Ето тази книга е предизвикателство да бъде прочетена. Не е само до обема, но и до огромното количество специфична материя, свързана с учението за будизма, описана в нея. Към тази книга човек посяга при определени обстоятелства (книгите винаги знаят кога да те намерят) - когато си сам със себе си и търсиш нещо или някой да те разбере, така както дори сам не можеш да се разбереш. Трудно ми е да пиша по-висока оценка, тъй като съм убедена, че има вариант и за по-съкратен вариант, по-лесно смилаем като информация, който не би ти било толкова трудно да прочетеш, но въпреки трудностите си струва четенето. От всеки ред и всяка дума на автора и на преводача дори, се усеща вярата и любовта, с които е написана, респективно преведена. И нищо да не разбираш от повечето описани техники и другите неща, усещането за покой остава, няма как да не разбереш посланието, да не го приемеш. Без да осъзнаваш книгата невидимо пречупва нещо в теб и го променя, малко и незначително на пръв поглед, но голямо и видимо за теб самия.
А и не са много хора, които имат смелостта да пишат за смъртта, какво остава да пишат по-този спокоен и умиротворяващ начин за нея.
А и не са много хора, които имат смелостта да пишат за смъртта, какво остава да пишат по-този спокоен и умиротворяващ начин за нея.
November 2, 2021
I don't know what I expected, but this was the longest exercise of tolerance towards nonsense that I've faced since my deconversion from Christianity.
May 24, 2021
Probably a great book for someone spiritual and who is interested in exploring buddhism.
But it was a drag for me. At times gave me panic attacks, because the book basically just re-told the bad experiences I've had with my past religious beliefs/practices. The only good thing I could take away from here was the practise of meditation.
But I could have just stuck to any Sam Harris book/session for that.
Definitely a big no for Agnostic people like me. Although the teachings might seem different but to me they seem to be the same version of other religions. Probably it's my own bias. But anyway, staying away from Buddhism because of this introduction.
Probably I am being too harsh on the book. But oh well, it is what it is.
But it was a drag for me. At times gave me panic attacks, because the book basically just re-told the bad experiences I've had with my past religious beliefs/practices. The only good thing I could take away from here was the practise of meditation.
But I could have just stuck to any Sam Harris book/session for that.
Definitely a big no for Agnostic people like me. Although the teachings might seem different but to me they seem to be the same version of other religions. Probably it's my own bias. But anyway, staying away from Buddhism because of this introduction.
Probably I am being too harsh on the book. But oh well, it is what it is.
March 28, 2017
The Tibetan book of Living and Dying is actually the interpretation or briefing of the sacred ancient Tibetan Buddhist text widely known in the west as The Tibetan Book of the Dead said to be written by great Indian Buddhist master Padmasambhava who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century.
An excellent book which doesn't have anything to do with religion Buddhism but everything with compassion and humanity with which it shows how can we transform ourselves and this world while living our life and even after that.
People of eastern origin will not find much difficulty in comprehending the ideology of this book because they have the inherent virtue of coexisting in this world. But the author made this book such a way that anyone can understand this sacred things without embedding themselves into Buddhism.
Am very much afraid to comment on the contents of this book because only a learned person who have decades of education from his master can grasp at least what it really meant, let alone practice it of his own.
This book is all about death, dead and dying. Buddhism doesn't see death as unfortunate or mysterious or painful but an opportunity. Opportunity for achieving a higher metaphysical realm. And all their life they are preparing themselves for this. Whatever happiness and comfortableness we see in this life is nothing compared to the 'state' if we able to achieve after our death.
According to Buddhist philosophy whatever we do in this life is to achieve liberation of our mind (I couldn't find the word salvation anywhere in this book) which is a all free formless, mediumless state; Bodhisattva or Buddha. If at all we fail to attain that then at least try for a rebirth in a better realm, say human. Again try the same for the liberation of our soul or mind to attain Buddhahood and it is an endless cycle of life and rebirth called samsara. But the attainment depends on how we live our life in this world. The quality of our karma decide not only the quality of our death but the 'effects' of our death too. The rebirth and reincarnation are our chance or possibility for the liberation and which is not our aim but actually is a punishment because we have to again go through an entire lifetime. So according to Buddhism it's not only what 'life' itself is important but release or free from this life and from every rebirth is more important and that's what we have to try for. In short nirvana or to become Buddha is the ultimate goal. We may have to go through endless life cycle to reach that level. The implication is its not Buddha going to help the world but the way of attaining Bodhisattva is having the power to change every person in his life and this world.
Try to read the book without any concerns of religion. Author himself a renowned Tibetan Buddhist master who moreorless successfully able to explain the ancient traditional texts without much mystical or supernatural elements.
Finally only one thing will remain in your mind ; compassion. Being compassionate is the foremost thing in this life.
An excellent book which doesn't have anything to do with religion Buddhism but everything with compassion and humanity with which it shows how can we transform ourselves and this world while living our life and even after that.
People of eastern origin will not find much difficulty in comprehending the ideology of this book because they have the inherent virtue of coexisting in this world. But the author made this book such a way that anyone can understand this sacred things without embedding themselves into Buddhism.
Am very much afraid to comment on the contents of this book because only a learned person who have decades of education from his master can grasp at least what it really meant, let alone practice it of his own.
This book is all about death, dead and dying. Buddhism doesn't see death as unfortunate or mysterious or painful but an opportunity. Opportunity for achieving a higher metaphysical realm. And all their life they are preparing themselves for this. Whatever happiness and comfortableness we see in this life is nothing compared to the 'state' if we able to achieve after our death.
According to Buddhist philosophy whatever we do in this life is to achieve liberation of our mind (I couldn't find the word salvation anywhere in this book) which is a all free formless, mediumless state; Bodhisattva or Buddha. If at all we fail to attain that then at least try for a rebirth in a better realm, say human. Again try the same for the liberation of our soul or mind to attain Buddhahood and it is an endless cycle of life and rebirth called samsara. But the attainment depends on how we live our life in this world. The quality of our karma decide not only the quality of our death but the 'effects' of our death too. The rebirth and reincarnation are our chance or possibility for the liberation and which is not our aim but actually is a punishment because we have to again go through an entire lifetime. So according to Buddhism it's not only what 'life' itself is important but release or free from this life and from every rebirth is more important and that's what we have to try for. In short nirvana or to become Buddha is the ultimate goal. We may have to go through endless life cycle to reach that level. The implication is its not Buddha going to help the world but the way of attaining Bodhisattva is having the power to change every person in his life and this world.
Try to read the book without any concerns of religion. Author himself a renowned Tibetan Buddhist master who moreorless successfully able to explain the ancient traditional texts without much mystical or supernatural elements.
Finally only one thing will remain in your mind ; compassion. Being compassionate is the foremost thing in this life.
January 8, 2009
An extremely important (and relevant) carry-along during my half-year trip to North India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Rinpoche writes largely to a Western audience, so it doesn't surprise me that much of his content seems simplistic and applicable to the ordinary observer. Really, TBLD is just another book that explains the "intermediate" or "transitional" states of life and death, which are otherwise known as "bardos."
I don't mean to suggest that Rinpoche totally sold out (as some refugees have suggested, for whatever reason), wrote about a topic of Tibetan Buddhism, and articulated it in such a way that Western audiences groveled for more insight. Rather, he's a very thoughtful writer who has done a very good job in conveying Buddhism to a particular group of people.
I actually found myself delighted reading his account of Tibetan Buddhism.
I don't mean to suggest that Rinpoche totally sold out (as some refugees have suggested, for whatever reason), wrote about a topic of Tibetan Buddhism, and articulated it in such a way that Western audiences groveled for more insight. Rather, he's a very thoughtful writer who has done a very good job in conveying Buddhism to a particular group of people.
I actually found myself delighted reading his account of Tibetan Buddhism.
January 21, 2021
Lo cogí de casualidad en casa de mi madre porque no me había traído lectura y lo devoré enseguida. Quería un libro que recogiera información y experiencias sobre monjes tibetanos desde hace mucho. Se nota que está bien escrito y traducido porque se lee con facilidad pese a expresar ideas complejas. Eso sí, lo único que no veo es esa "demonización" de la forma de vida de occidente. Yo ya sé que el trabajo no dignifica y que vivo en una prisión capitalista, pero no por ello puedo permitirme el lujo de no encontrar trabajo, por ejemplo. Creo que la vida es equilibrio.
January 27, 2019
This is one of the three books I consider should be mandatory to read by all. The other two are "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan, and "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins.
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