The Tibetan Book of the Dead

Book II: The Alternative Choosing: Supernormal Birth; or Womb-Birth

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

38.1

If, however, O nobly-born, thou hast, because of the influence of karma, to enter into a womb, the teaching for the selection of the womb-door will be explained now. Listen.

38.2

Do not enter into any sort of womb which may be come by. If compelled by tormenting furies to enter, meditate upon Hayagriva.

38.3

Since thou now possesseth a slender supernormal power of foreknowledge, all the places [of birth] will be known to thee, one after another. Choose accordingly.

38.4

There are two alternatives; the transference [of the consciousness-principle] to a pure Buddha realm, and the selection of the impure sangsaric womb-door, to be accomplished as follows: