The Six Bardos of the Tibetan Book of the Dead

A guide to implementing the teachings of the bardos of life and death from the classic text, The Tibetan Book of the Dead

Shares ancient Tibetan wisdom to help readers break through the process of “ego-clinging” to find deeper freedom and escape from feelings of lack and scarcity.

Offers authentic guidance and support for confidence in overcoming challenges, bravery in caring for the self and others, as well as fearlessness in the face of dying.

Examines key concepts and history in Dzogchen Buddhism, including a guide to the Vajrayana teachings, the Bardo teachings, and the role of the five elements.

According to the Buddha, all sentient beings are naturally enlightened and have been pure since the beginning. However, in waking life, grasping and fear develop into ego-clinging and a cyclic state of delusion. This interval from the beginning of delusion until we return to our primordial nature is known as the bardo. Until we rediscover enlightenment, everything we feel, know, and experience is bardo phenomena.

Exploring this understanding, so essential to the myriad schools of Buddhism, in rich and practical detail, renowned Dzogchen masters Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche offer a guide to implementing the teachings of the bardos of life and death from the Bardo Thodrol, commonly known as The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Drawing on their Dzogchen background—a Buddhist lineage focused on resting and abiding in our true nature—the authors explore key ideas from the famous Tibetan text, including the Vajrayana teachings, the five elements, peaceful and wrathful deities, and the nature of the six bardos (with particular emphasis on the bardo of dying). The authors provide practical advice for deeper self-awareness, improved care of the self and others, and confronting challenges fearlessly, especially the process of dying.

The teachings offered by the authors in this guide are truly universal, offering a path out of delusion and allowing us all to “ignite our inner light” and rediscover our inner buddha nature as we move forward on the path to enlightenment.