The Tibetan Book of the Dead

Tibetan Buddhist

trans. Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup (ed. W. Y. Evans-Wentz) • c. 8th century CE (translation 1927)

Chapters

The Bardo of the Moments of Death

1. Instructions on the Symptoms of Death, or the First Stage of the Chikhai Bardo: The Primary Clear Light Seen at the Moment of Death

1.1–1.12 1.13–1.27 1.28–1.33

2. Instructions Concerning the Second Stage of the Chikhai Bardo: The Secondary Clear Light Seen Immediately After Death

The Bardo of the Experiencing of Reality

1. Introductory Instructions Concerning the Experiencing of Reality During the Third Stage of the Bardo, Called the Chonyid Bardo, when the Karmic Apparitions Appear

The Dawning of the Peaceful Deities, from the First to the Seventh Day

1. The First Day

2. The Second Day

3. The Third Day

4. The Fourth Day

5. The Fifth Day

6. The Sixth Day

9.1–9.10 9.11–9.20 9.21–9.32

7. The Seventh Day

The Dawning of the Wrathful Deities, from the Eight to the Fourteenth Day

1. Introduction

2. The Eighth Day

3. The Ninth Day

4. The Tenth Day

5. The Eleventh Day

6. The Twelfth Day

7. The Thirteenth Day

8. The Fourteenth Day

18.1–18.10 18.11–18.30

The Conclusion, Showing the Fundamental Importance of the Bardo Teachings

1. The Conclusion, Showing the Fundamental Importance of the Bardo Teachings

The Sidpa Bardo

1. The Obeisances

2. Introductory Verses

3. The After-Death World

4. The Bardo Body: Its Birth and Its Supernormal Faculties

5. Characteristics of Existence in the Intermediate State

6. The Judgement

7. The All-Determining Influence of Thought

8. The Dawning of the Lights of the Six Lokas

The Process of Rebirth

1. The Closing of the Door of the Womb

2. Method of Preventing Entry into a Womb

3. The First Method of Closing the Womb-Door

4. The Second Method of Closing the Womb-Door

5. The Third Method of Closing the Womb-Door

6. The Fourth Method of Closing the Womb-Door

7. The Fifth Method of Closing the Womb-Door

8. The Choosing of the Womb-Door

9. The Premonitory Visions of the Place of Rebirth

10. The Protection Against the Tormenting Furies

11. The Alternative Choosing: Supernormal Birth; or Womb-Birth

12. Supernormal Birth by Transference to a Paradise Realm

13. Womb-Birth: The Return to the Human World

14. The General Conclusion

The Appendix

1. The Invocation of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

2. The Path of Good Wishes for Saving from the Dangerous Narrow Passageway of the Bardo

3. The Root Verses of the Six Bardos

4. The Path of Good Wishes which Protecteth from Fear in the Bardo

5. The Colophon

Book II: Introductory Verses

21.1

Above, in the Great Bardo-Thodol, The Bardo called Chonyid was taught; And now, of the Bardo called Sidpa, The vivid reminder is brought.