Thurman translates bar do thos grol as the great book of natural liberation through understanding in the between. Nov 27, 2019 most of the accessible englishlanguage translations of the bardo thodol only include chapter 11, the liberation upon hearing. The tibetan book of the dead is the most celebrated and widely read work of tibetan literature outside tibet. Dec 03, 2007 the book of the dead is the common name for the ancient egyptian funerary text known as the book of coming or going forth by day. The tibetan book of the dead the best documentary ever. The big red tome, as i refer to it, translated by gyurme dorje and put out by viking press, is by far the most exhaustive and faithful, but it is dense, even if you are familiar with tibetan buddhism. I found thurmans part i, the first 90 pages, very well written and informative about the so called tibetan book of the dead. Edited by graham coleman and thupten jinpa new york. The buddhist sect responsible for this manuscript holds that with death man passes into what they call the bardo world. Rinpoche, gave a seminar entitled the tibetan book of the dead, which is included here as a commentary. The great book of natural liberation through understanding in the between padma sambhava, robert thurman, the dalai lama, karma lingpa on. Also known as the bardo thodol which means liberation by hearing on the after death plane, it was originally written in the tibetan language and is meant to be a guide for those who have died as they transition from their former life to a new destination.
The most graceful english translation of this masterpiece of world literature prepared with the participation of the dalai lama and eminent contemporary masters of this tradition appointed by the dalai lama one of the greatest works created by any culture and one of the most influential of all tibetan buddhist texts in the west, the tibetan book of the dead has had a number of distinguished. The most complete edition is the gyurme dorje translation, the tibetan book of the dead, though unless you are taking. Not a great one really, since there have been many other translations. The tibetan book of the dead is a kind of baedeker for the. The tibetan book of the dead quotes by padmasambhava.
Translated, bardo thodol means liberation by hearing on the after death plane. Nov 06, 2008 the acclaimed english translation of this masterpiece of world literature prepared with the participation of the dalai lamaone of the greatest works created by any culture and one of the most influential of all tibetan buddhist texts in the west, the tibetan book of the dead has had a number of distinguished translations, but strangely all of these have been partial abridgements. The tibetan book of the dead was first published in 1927 by oxford university press, london. A comprehensive guide to living and dying the tibetan book of the dead contains exquisitely written guidance and practices related to transforming our experience in the daily life, on the processes of dying and the afterdeath state, and on how to help those who are dying. It is one of many mortuary texts of the nyingma sect of tibetan buddhism and is commonly recited to or by a person. Bardo thodol means liberation by hearing on the after death plane, it was originally written in tibetan.
Tibetan book of the dead simple english wikipedia, the free. The first complete translation of a classic buddhist text on the journey through living and dying. During the seminar he used a tibetan text, while the audience followed in the evanswentz edition. Ian pindar welcomes the first full english translation of buddhisms guide to the afterlife, the tibetan book of the dead. Its title was coined by its translator, the american scholar w. The guru hid his books in stones, lakes, and pillars because the tibetans of that day and age were somehow unprepared for their teachings. The tibetan book of the dead or the afterdeath experiences on the bardo plane english translation by lama kazi dawasamdup foreword this book is the first english language translation of the famous tibetan death text, the great liberation upon hearing in the intermediate state. This translation of the tibetan book of the dead emphasizes the practical advice that the book offers to the living. The most complete edition is the gyurme dorje translation, the tibetan book of the dead, though unless you are taking this terma as a particular practice i. The tibetan book of the dead is one of the texts that, according to legend, padmasambhava was compelled to hide during his visit to tibet in the late 8th century. This ancient text was first put into written form by the legendary padma sambhava in the 8th century a. The tibetan book of the dead by padmasambhava goodreads. Evanswentz, in imitation of the famous and equally mistitled egyptian book of the dead. Translated with the close support of leading contemporary masters and hailed as a tremendous accomplishment.
The book was originally written in the eighth century ce, ostensibly by an ancient buddhist teacher named padma sambhava. One of these intermediate state manuals is the tibetan book of the dead. First complete translation penguin classics deluxe edition kindle edition by coleman, graham, padmasambhava, thupten jinpa, gyurme dorje. The tibetan book of the dead is a most unusual book in the annals of recorded thought. The first english translation of the bardo thodol was titled the tibetan book of the dead by walter evanswentz due to its similarities with another funerary text, the egyptian book of the dead. The tibetan book of the dead 1994 narrated by leonard. Translated with the close support of leading contemporary masters and hailed as a. There was another shorter version, called the american book of the dead, which i liked, but it read more like learywilson than a translation. Wallace budge translation of the egyptian book of the dead. This is a must have title for anyone who has an interest in tibetan buddism. Questions about the translation and style of expression continually came up, and as a result of these questions it was.
The book was originally translated by evans wentz in 1927. Oct 21, 2005 the tibetan book of the dead translated by gyurme dorje, edited by graham coleman with thupten jinpa 496pp, penguin classics. Since its first english translation in 1927, the tibetan guide to spiritual and mental liberation called the bardo thodol has been known in the west as the tibetan book of the dead. Francesca fremantle, buddhadharma magazine the most celebrated and widely read work of tibetan literature outside tibet. What is the best english translation of the tibetan book of. As thurman makes clear, the real translation of the title is liberation through understanding in the between, which seems the appropriate title now. Graced with opening words by his holiness the dalai lama, the penguin deluxe edition of the tibetan book of the dead is immaculately rendered in an english both graceful and precise. The tibetan book of the dead or the afterdeath experiences on the bardo plane english translation by lama kazi dawasamdup compiled and edited by. It includes prayers, instructions for both dying persons and their attendants, and descriptions of the afterlife. Tibetan book of the dead evanswentz tibetan verses of the bardo the invocation tibetan book of the dead houston i tibetan book of the dead houston ii.
This new translation of the tibetan book of the dead is a tremendous accomplishment. The tibetan book of the dead shambhala publications. Translated with the close support of leading contemporary masters and hailed as a the first complete translation of a classic buddhist text on the journey through living and dying. The book has reappeared in several englishlanguage versions since then, some based only loosely on. The book of the dead was a description of the ancient egyptian conception of the afterlife and a collection of hymns, spells, and instructions to allow the deceased to pass through obstacles in the afterlife. Evanswentz was well acquainted with theosophy and used this framework to interpret the translation of the tibetan book of the dead, which was largely. May 30, 2017 the thousandyearold tibetan text bardo thodol, translated as liberation through understanding in the between, and known widely by its popular name, the tibetan book of the dead, is a buddhist text about death, reincarnation, and achieving liberation from suffering.
Full text of secret doctrines of the tibetan book of the dead by detlef ingo lauf translated by graham parks see other formats. Graham coleman is founder of the orient foundation for arts and culture, a major tibetan cultural conservancy organization, and writerdirector of the acclaimed feature documentary tibet. First complete translation penguin classics 7 dec 2006. The concepts in the book do require one to think about what it means to go to the afterlife. First complete translation penguin classics deluxe edition coleman, graham, jinpa, thupten, dorje, gyurme, dalai lama on. If you decide to read the text, id suggest you obtain the first complete translation. An edition was issued in 1927 by oxford university press under the general editorship of w. The tibetan book of the dead edited by graham coleman, thupten jinpa, translated by gyurme dorje viking is by far the most popular example of indigenous tibetan buddhist treasure literature. The first englishlanguage translation was made by walter evanswentz 1927, who titled the work the tibetan book of the dead because of certain similarities he claimed to detect between it and the egyptian book of the dead for example, the existence of. An edition was issued in 1927 by oxford university press. Sep 08, 2017 the tibetan book of the dead when i first picked up the book, the tibetan book of the dead, i wondered if there was any value in reading this book. The file above, which appears at on the internet at sacredtexts for the first time is a faithful etext of the 1895 edition of the e.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Full text of the tibetan book of the dead internet archive. Download the tibetan book of the dead free pdf ebook. The tibetan book of the dead translated by gyurme dorje, edited by graham coleman and thupten jinpa. Since the book is translated into english it does lose some of the meaning from the original language. The most graceful english translation of this masterpiece of world literature prepared with the participation of the dalai lama and eminent contemporary masters of this tradition appointed by the dalai lamaone of the greatest works created by any culture and one of the most influential of all tibetan buddhist texts in the west, the tibetan book of the dead has had a number of distinguished. I took the liberty of remastering audiobook for personal use. Although the normal english title would suggest it is about the dead, thats not really what its about, and not what the original tibetan title says. First complete translation penguin classics deluxe edition by graham coleman, thupten jinpa, gyurme dorje, dalai lama. The tibetan book of the dead was first translated into english in 1927. The tibetan book of the dead penguin classics deluxe.
Penguin books instead of the more easily obtainable short versions. The books original title is bardo thodol, which is translated to. Both a practical guide and intriguing historical, cultural, and spiritual document, this new version incorporates recent discoveries that have. What is the best english translation of the tibetan book. Francesca fremantle, buddhadarma magazine profound and unique, it is one of the great treasures of wisdom in the spiritual heritage of humanity. Tibetan book of the dead bardo thotrol bardo thodol. Unlike other translations of bar do thos grol or the tibetan book of the dead, robert thurmans takes literally the entire gamut of metaphysical assumptions. First complete translation penguin classics deluxe edition kindle edition by coleman, graham, padmasambhava, thupten. The most graceful english translation of this masterpiece of world literature prepared with the participation of the dalai lama and eminent contemporary masters of this tradition appointed by the dalai lama. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the tibetan book of the dead.
The tibetan book of the dead, whose actual title is the great liberation upon hearing in the intermediate state or bardo thodol, is traditionally believed to be the work of the legendary padma sambhava in the 8th century a. Gyurme dorje is a leading scholar of the nyingma tradition of tibetan buddhism, from which the tibetan book of the dead literature derives. A classic of tibetan buddhism brought to life with insightful commentary by a modern master. This book is the first english language translation of the famous tibetan death text. Full text of secret doctrines of the tibetan book of the. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Liberation in the intermediate state through hearingalso called tibetan book of the dead, in tibetan buddhism, a funerary text that is recited to ease the consciousness of a recently deceased person through death and assist it into a favourable rebirth. The tibetan book of the dead audiobook narrated by richard gere 2008.
The first complete translation of a classic buddhist text on the journey through living and dying graced with opening words by his holiness the dalai lama, the penguin deluxe edition of the tibetan book of the dead is immaculately rendered in an english both graceful and precise. Scanned, proofed and formatted at, by john bruno hare. According to tibetan tradition, the bardo thodol commonly referred to as the tibetan book of the dead was among many treasures hidden by the tao master padmasambhava,tibet 742797, subsequently discovered by a tibetan terton by karma lingpa 2686 terton tibetan. In november of 2000 i inventoried my library and found that i was missing budges book of the dead. The human world, ghost world, the godworld and the formless world. Dec 06, 2007 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. The tibetan book of the dead the bardo thodol also spelled bardo thotrol, translated as the tibetan book of the dead, for centuries it was passed down orally. What is the best translation of the tibetan book of the dead. In this classic scripture of tibetan buddhismtraditionally read aloud to the dying to help them attain liberationdeath and rebirth are seen as a process that provides an opportunity to recognize the true nature of the mind. The tibetan book of the dead 8th century, translated by. Online shopping for book of the dead tibetan from a great selection at books store. An authoritative and first unabridged translation of a major buddhist text overwhelmingly the most. Tibetan book of the dead first complete translation.
The compendium of texts known as the tibetan book of the dead contains exquisitely written guidance and practices related to transforming our experience in daily life, on how to address the processes of dying and the afterdeath state, and on how to help those who are dying. Top 10 books on tibetan buddhism watkins mind body spirit. The acclaimed english translation of this masterpiece of world literature prepared with the participation of the dalai lama one of the greatest works created by any culture and one of the most influential of all tibetan buddhist texts in the west, the tibetan book of the dead has had a number of distinguished translations, but strangely all of these have been partial abridgements. The book was originally written in the eighth century ce, ostensibly by an ancient. This title contains guidance and practices related to transforming our experience in daily life.
What is the best translation of the tibetan book of the. What is the difference between the egyptian and tibetan book. The egyptian book of the dead index internet sacred text. The tibetan book of the dead or the bardo thodol is the english translation of the famous tibetan death text, the great liberation upon hearing in the intermediate state. The tibetan book of the dead is one of the greatest works to have ever been created by any culture, and it is the most meaningful one in the buddhist tradition of the west. The acclaimed english translation of this masterpiece of world literature prepared with the participation of the dalai lamaone of the greatest works created by any culture and one of the most influential of all tibetan buddhist texts in the west, the tibetan book of the dead has had a number of distinguished translations, but strangely all of these have been partial abridgements. The tibetan book of the dead is a religious text from tibet, written as a guide for persons attending someone who is dying or recently dead, to bring comfort and. Evanswentz coined the title because of parallels he found with the writings of the egyptian book of the dead. The tibetan book of the dead is a kind of baedeker for the afterlife, and like the best guidebooks its reassuring refrain is dont panic. One of the greatest works created by any culture and overwhelmingly the most significant of all tibetan buddhist texts in the west, the tibetan book of the dead has had a number of distinguished translations, but none encompassed the work in its entirety. Jul 29, 2014 tibetan book of the dead, translated by gyurme dorje. Translated by francesca fremantle and chogyam trungpa. The tibetan book of the dead 8th century, translated by gyurme dorje old favourites. Awakening upon dying, with introductory commentary by dzogchen buddhist master chogyal namkhai norbu, is a new translation of the ancient text also known as the great liberation through hearing in the intermediate state.
First complete translation penguin classics reprint by coleman, graham, coleman, graham, jinpa, thupten, lama, dalai, dorje, gyurme isbn. The big red tome, as i refer to it, translated by gyurme dorje and put out by viking press, is by far the most exhaustive and faithful, but it is dense. In this classic scripture of tibetan buddhismtraditionally read aloud to the dying to help them attain liberationdeath and rebirth are seen as a process that provides an opportunity to recognize the true nature of mind. Translated with the close support of leading contemporary masters and hailed as a tremendous accomplishment, this book faithfully presents the insights and intentions of the original work. The first complete translation of a classic buddhist.
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