Experiences after death according to Tibet

The Tibetan Book of the Dead is a guide to help the dying and the living face the process of death and rebirth with wisdom and compassion. 

Also known as Bardo Todol, it is a sacred text of Tibetan Buddhism that describes the experiences of consciousness after death and before reincarnation. The book is divided into three parts: the Chikhai Bardo, the Chonyid Bardo, and the Sidpa Bardo.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead

After death

The Chikhai Bardo is the state immediately after death, where consciousness is released from the physical body and experiences a clear, radiant light that represents the ultimate nature of reality. It is the state that follows immediately after physical death and is the first bardo (stage or interval) that a human being experiences.

This state lasts only for an instant, but it can be recognized and used by advanced practitioners to achieve enlightenment.

Watch  Heaven Is for Real: Dazzling Near-Death Experiences

In the "Chikhai Bardo", the consciousness is freed from the physical body and enters a state of clarity and luminosity. It is said that in this state, the ultimate nature of reality manifests itself intensely and radiantly as a clear light. For advanced practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism, this is a crucial time to recognize this clear light as the nature of the mind and of reality itself.

If an advanced spiritual practitioner can recognize and remain in the luminous nature of the mind during the "Chikhai Bardo", he has the opportunity to achieve enlightenment or complete liberation (nirvana) directly. However, for most people, this state is fleeting, and awareness soon moves on to the next bardo.

After the "Chikhai Bardo", the consciousness enters the "Chönyid Bardo" and then the "Sidpa Bardo", stages that also offer opportunities for liberation if the individual can recognize the true nature of his experience and transcend the cycle of reincarnations. .

Chonyid Bard

Visions

The Chonyid Bardo is the intermediate period between death and rebirth, in which the mind of the deceased experiences a series of visions that reflect their psychological and spiritual condition. These visions are the result of karmic habits, emotions and actions that the individual has cultivated throughout his life.

 Some of these visions are peaceful and bright, while others are terrifying and dark, depending on the degree of attachment, aversion, and ignorance that the individual has manifested. The book provides guidance on not being fooled by these visions and recognizing the illusory nature of existence.

New renaissance

The Sidpa Bardo is the state of the search for a new rebirth, where the consciousness is attracted by different situations and beings according to their karmic affinity. The book warns of the dangers of being reborn in the six realms of samsara (the cycle of suffering) and suggests methods for choosing a favorable rebirth that leads to liberation.

The "Sidpa Bardo" is the third stage or interval according to the cosmology of Tibetan Buddhism. Also known as the "Bardo of Existence", this stage is the state in which consciousness seeks a new rebirth. In the "Sidpa Bardo", consciousness is attracted to different situations, beings and experiences according to its karmic affinity. The person's past actions and desires influence the circumstances in which he can be reborn in his next life. This is a crucial moment, as the choices made here will determine the course of the next existence.

Sidpa bardo

The "Bardo Thodol" warns of the dangers of being reborn in the six realms of samsara, which are the states of existence subject to the cycle of suffering. The six kingdoms are:

1. Realm of the gods (devas): Characterized by happiness and pleasure, but still subject to suffering due to impermanence and changes in their fortunes.
2. Realm of the demigods (asuras): A state of jealousy, competition, and constant striving for supremacy.
3. Human realm: A state in which we experience both suffering and happiness, and have the opportunity to practice the spiritual path to liberation.
4. Animal kingdom: A state where instinct and the fight for survival prevail.
5. Kingdom of hungry ghosts (pretas): Characterized by dissatisfaction, greed and lack.
6. Hell Realm: A state of intense anguish and suffering.

The "Bardo Thodol" suggests methods and teachings so that consciousness can make wise choices and avoid being reborn in the realms of samsara, since all of them are subject to impermanence and suffering. Instead, one is encouraged to seek a favorable rebirth that leads to liberation, that is, escaping the cycle of samsara and achieving enlightenment or nirvana.

Suggested methods include recognizing the true nature of mind and reality, practicing compassion, detachment, and insight into emptiness, among other spiritual teachings.

It is important to note that the interpretation and understanding of these concepts may vary between different schools of Tibetan Buddhism and in the individual teachings of teachers.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead is a guide to help the dying and the living face the process of death and rebirth with wisdom and compassion. Reading and studying it can inspire practitioners to follow the path of dharma (the Buddha's teaching) and break free from the cycle of samsara [1] .

If you want to know more about this subject state, we recommend you read the book "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" , which is a practical and spiritual guide to face the process of death and rebirth.

---

[1] Samsara is the notion of reincarnation and the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that living beings go through in their search for spiritual liberation in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.