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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 Bar do thos grol (or The Tibetan Book of the Dead), Robert Thurman's takes literally the entire gamut of metaphysical assumptions. Thurman translates Bar do thos grol as The Great Book of Natural Liberation through Understanding in the Between. It is one of many mortuary texts of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is commonly recited to or by a person facing imminent death. Thurman reproduces it for this purpose, explaining in some depth the Tibetan conception of postmortem existence. Over as many as 12 days, the deceased person is given explanations of what he or she sees and experiences and is guided through innumerable visions of the realms beyond to reach eventual liberation, or, failing that, a safe rebirth. Like a backpacker's guide to a foreign land, Thurman's version is clear, detailed, and sympathetic to the inexperienced voyager. It includes background and supplementary information, and even illustrations (sorry, no maps). Don't wait until the journey has begun. Every page should be read and memorized well ahead of time. --Brian Bruya
From Library Journal
The Dalai Lama's blessing attends Thurman's translation of the Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding in the Between. Composed by Padma Sambhava in the late eighth century, this text minutely describes the "betweens" ( Bardos ) or after-death transition states. Thurman, who opens this work with a new section of preliminary prayers, gives a helpful commentary in terms Westerners can understand and boldface portions to be read aloud in the presence of the dead. He closes by appending Nyingma tradition works to the main text. This text has already been translated in 1927 and 1975, and some of Thurman's new translation choices are questionable. For instance, the West has adopted the term karma , which expresses the original meaning better than evolution --an alternative that obscures the personal responsibility emphasized in Buddhism. In addition, since Tibetan pronouns are sexually neutral, alternating his with her from verse to verse confuses. Still, Westerners will find this a colorful, awesome journey. For informed readers.
- Dara Eklund, Los Angeles P.L.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Dara Eklund, Los Angeles P.L.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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First Sentence
The Tibetans have always called their own country Bo, on some occasions adding Khawajen, "Land of Snow." Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
The Tibetans have always called their own country Bo, on some occasions adding Khawajen, "Land of Snow." Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
The study of the process of death.,
By
This review is from: Tibetan Book of the Dead (Paperback)
This is an interesting book that brings to life many of the teachings and beliefs of the Tibetan Bhuddists. This book is primarily about the migration of souls and the process of death and rebirth. I particularly liked the background information given by the author leading into the main text that discusses the basics of this flavor of Bhuddism and the evolution of its teachings. The author retranslates the title for the purposes of reading and after reading the text, I certainly agree with him. The two major teachings that I see are what to expect after death and how to prepare for death while still alive. Although I think the emphasis is on the latter. I think you'll find that the basic tenets of this faith are found in all major religious beliefs along with noticable differences the further one defines the system. Overall, this would be a good starter text for a student of religions as well as bridge for those whose preconceived notions of religions outside their own are faulty and ignorant.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An astonishing performance. Poetic, haunting and wise. A superb achievement,
By
This review is from: Tibetan Book of the Dead (Paperback)
The Dalai Lama's medieval circus took flight from its paradisiacal kingdom amidst the cold and feudal Himalayan Mountains (a glimpse of Shangri-La), only to land in sunny side California; a Guru's paradise of psychedelic openness, narcissistic personality disorder and transcendental entrepreneurism.In this spirited side of America you will find nihilistic death worship for dummies (see The Tibetan Book of the Living and Dying), hang out with charismatic Budweiser Lama's (Chogyam Trungpa) and witness Tibetan scholar Robert Thurman jumping into the octagon, ready to fight for the truth of the in-between bardo states. He's a true believer you see; the super heavyweight champion of true believers. This is all good though, because it brings a startlingly sincere passion and vividness to Mr Thurman's work. Though not as poetically driven and scholarly as the newer Penguin translation, Thurman's is written in good plain (graspable) English, he also has the knack of explaining difficult concepts and his is the more readable of the various translations. (I think the Penguin will probably suit people who are at home with Heidegger). Thurman, it seems, is convinced of the ontological validity of the bardo realms. No metaphors here please. What do you mean no metaphors? I hear you cry. I thought the realms described in the Bardo Thödol were just topological manifolds of the human psyche? Surely those nice Tibetan's don't mean to frighten us? Thurman thinks we shouldn't be so naive. He believes that the in-between places, with the angry, mad Gods (Devas), the ravenous thirsty ghosts (pretas, who try to eat your feet) and the juvenile God-like Titans (Ashuras), are as real as the horrors swimming around inside the Popes imagination. So if you want cheery metaphors then run along to the Penguin edition, with its beautiful poetry, vivid artwork and weighty scholarship, you will be better off and less worried! Padma sambhava's luminous axioms are apparently true for all time you see and because Thurman is a true believer, his commentaries add extra weight and so this book is the authentic deal. He really believes man, which I think is reassuringly weird, and no matter what you yourself may believe, you can't help but be impressed by the shear gravity and sophistication of Tibetan metaphysics. Cardinal Ratzinger once described Buddhism as being a masturbation of the intellect. Well I say lets masturbate away! Plus the artwork included in here is impressive indeed. Robert Thurman's version then is for the workers and lumpen Buddha's of the world. We need an honest to God rendition of the Way and its power; not a cerebral analytic scholar talking about psychoanalysis, metaphors and the Hell realms being mere metaphors bah blah. Thurman is a brilliant fanatic you see (in the best sense of the word) and 'tis the one eyed sears who command respect in my book. No wonder he named his daughter after a Tibetan goblin.
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE REAL NECRONOMICON,
By A Customer
This review is from: Tibetan Book of the Dead (Paperback)
IF YOU WANT THE REAL NECRONOMICON, THIS IS IT. A MUST HAVE
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