The Tibetan book of living and dying

by Rinpoche Sogyal

Other authorsAndrew Harvey, Patrick Gaffney

Paper Book, 2002

Status

Available

Call number

294.3

Genres

Religion & Spirituality

Collection

Gifts

Publication

New York HarperOne cop. 2002

Description

In this major and comprehensive work, Buddhist meditation master and international speaker Sogyal Rinpoche brings together the ancient wisdom of Tibet with modern research on death and dying and the nature of the universe. With unprecedented scope, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying clarifies the majestic vision of life and death that underlies The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Sogyal Rinpoche presents simple yet powerful practices from the heart of the Tibetan tradition that anyone, whatever their religion or background, can do to transform their lives, prepare for death, and help the dying. Rinpoche shows the hope there is in death: how we can go beyond denial and fear to discover what it is in us that survives death and is changeless. He presents a lucid, inspiring, and complete introduction to the practice of meditation, to karma and rebirth, and to the trials and rewards of the spiritual path. He gives advice on how to care for the dying with love and compassion and offer them spiritual assistance. Rinpoche presents his own vision of the near-death experience from the Tibetan perspective. He explains in detail the "bardos," those states of consciousness after death that have fascinated and tantalized Western artists, psychologists, scientists, doctors, and philosophers ever since the publication of The Tibetan Book of the Dead in 1927. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying is not only a spiritual masterpiece but also a manual, a guide, a work of reference, and a source of sacred inspiration. It has been written to inspire all who read it to begin the journey to enlightenment and so become "servants of peace," working in the world with joy, wisdom, and compassion to take part in safeguarding the future of humanity.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member samatva

It changed my outlook on things...for the good.

3 more

LibraryThing member ukaissi

A very inspiring book, the purpose of which in the author's view: "to inspire a quiet revolution in the whole way we look at death and care for the dying, and so the whole way we look at life and care for the living". "To learn how to live is to learn how to die". These two quotes from the book

explains the whole purpose of this astounding book. In my opinion, such teachings as well as teachings in Buddhism could apply to all faiths and relligions. In fact all faiths call for the four essenses of life: love, knowledge, compassion, and wisdom. Highly recommended book to achieve a spiritual transformation and find a new meaning in the way we live our lives in such a fast-pace world.

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LibraryThing member justicefortibet

A contemporary rendering of centuries of Tibetan Buddhist wisdom, explained to the Western mind. A restatement of "The Tibetan Book of The Dead", it brings the life path to its inevitable end. Sogyal Rinpoche helps to bridge the gap between the ancient Buddhist tradition and the Western World

LibraryThing member Annmarie_Banks

Beautifully presented and easily accessible. The early translations were done by Christians who had no idea of the cultural connotations of the words being translated. That is why the Tibetan book of the dead reads like the Egyptian one (seemingly random), in the sense that they were both written

for experienced spiritual leaders and the words were not meant to be literal. One needs a cultural translator to make sense of the poetic descriptions and double meanings. Sogyal Rinpoche does that for us Westerners. Now to find someone who can do that for the Egyptian Coming Forth By Day.

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