The Tibetan Book of the Dead Audiobook By Robert Thurman - translator cover art

The Tibetan Book of the Dead

Liberation Through Understanding in the Between

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The Tibetan Book of the Dead

By: Robert Thurman - translator
Narrated by: Robert Thurman
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About this listen

The most accessible and informative version of the Buddhist classic available in English, with instruction in meditation, illuminating commentary, and guidance in the practical use of the prayers.

The so-called Tibetan Book of the Dead has been renowned for centuries as a cornerstone of Buddhist wisdom and religious thought. More recently, it has become highly influential in the Western world for its psychological insights into the processes of death and dying - and what they can teach us about the ways we live our lives. It has also been found to be helpful in the grieving process by people who have recently lost their loved ones.

Composed in the eighth century CE, it is intended to prepare the soul for the trials and transformations of the afterworld. Its profound message is that the art of dying is as important as the art of living. Drawing on Tibetan spiritual traditions, it shows us the workings of the mind in its various manifestations - terrifying and comforting, wrathful and beautiful - which appear more clearly after death in the consciousness of the deceased. By recognizing these manifestations, we can attain a state of enlightenment, both in this existence and in the existence to come.

This authoritative translation preserves the form and spirit of the original and was prepared especially for Western audiences by Robert A. F. Thurman, one of the most prominent Tibetan scholars in America and a close associate of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s.

This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF that contains additional information and the glossary from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©1993 Robert Thurman (translator) (P)2020 Random House Audio
Buddhism Eastern History Philosophy Religious Studies Tibetan Buddhism

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Nibanna

May this empty Samsara

Loving Kindness Meditation
Compassion Meditation
Sympathetic Joy Meditation
Equanimity Meditation

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Master on the topic

Bob knows his stuff. This is not easy material to hear and digest. But when it sinks in… is very powerful.

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loved it.

amazing read. it's a synthesis of ancient wisdom, mystic experience while being modern and approachable.

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The Magic of it all.

This is a book that will open your OTHER senses; those senses you forgot you had.

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Beautiful presentation

I loved that it was read was Robert Thurman. He added a unique quality to the presentation.

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Loved it, super helpful

Robert Thurman reads the book himself. He loves this topic and always reads his books with a passion that makes them engaging and interesting. This is the Bardo Thodol. It is the Tibetan book on what happens during the “in-between-state” or, in its most highlighted occurrence , the period between death and birth. Thurman goes over the many other kinds of Bardos we experience, over the Tibetan view on preparing for the larger transition of death, and over what we can do for ourselves and others who might find themselves in the “between” state after death. Many translations and commentaries are included. Many practices and prayers. He offers ideas for non-Buddhists as well, be they secular-materialists who do not believe in any consciousness after death, or members of other religions. While I think these would be useful to people of other belief systems one should know that the overwhelming amount of material in this book is from a Buddhist perspective and in particular the Tibetan Buddhist perspective on what occurs after death, as well as how to best navigate that journey.

Extremely helpful and enlightening. I hope to listen to it again sometime.

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Beautiful. Helpful.

I appreciate this reading so so much. I have attempted to read this on my own many times and haven't gotten through it. This is such a great opportunity.

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Not for the weak

Man, after this you would dread the dying process, very very exhausting and complex. Not something to look forward to.

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Life Changing

I have attempted to read and internalize The Tibetan Book of the Dead in the past, but Thurman explains, not just the book of natural liberation in a way that can be digested and understood by the western mind, but the basics of Tibetan philosophy and Tibetan views on life and the cycles of rebirth and enlightenment.

I've purchased a physical copy as well and know that I will be listening to and reading this many, many more times. As many as I can before this cycle ends for me.

With that said, this is just the first of Thurmans writings I'll be reading/listening to. For the first time in my life I feel like I may be starting to understand, but I only the tip of an immense iceberg. Hopefully, Thurman can help me see a little more of it, and practice and study may reveal more yet. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to have found this writing.

May we all experience true happiness, joy. fufillment and true enlightenment, if not in this cycle, then the next.

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Preparing for Death while alive

Through the practices in this text one can prepare for the eventuality of death while still alive. Coming to terms with a process that is 100% for all, for me takes the fear and anxiety out of many things in life.
The translator and reading from Robert Thurman I feel has been performed with the modern reader in mind. Thank you for this wonderful jem! Thukjeche!

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