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The Tibetan Book of the Dead

Liberation Through Understanding in the Between

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The Tibetan Book of the Dead

Written 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 Religious Studies Inspiring Physical Exercise Yoga Hinduism Tibetan Buddhism
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What listeners say about The Tibetan Book of the Dead

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Great work

I really loved this edition, I will be listening to it a number of times

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Wonderful accessible work

Thurman's voice and inflection keeps the reader engaged. He also shows humour and good will throughout. He has made this text from Tibet and the wisdom contained in it accessible to anyone who wants to know more. I think everyone should read this :-)

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Wonderful Flavor of the Eastern Mystique

I thought this was really enlightening as Traditions of the Tibetan People is among the earliest Influences of the Buddhist Traditions of the Eastern world and so devouring this audio file allowed me to feel deeply submerged in the Ancient Ways and Thinking with all of its colorful lore and Rituals as well as Expand my understanding of the Birthplace of Buddhist Tradition.

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Best Edition of The Tibetan Book of the Dead

The thoroughness of Robert Thurman's edition of the Tibetan Book of the Dead makes it a valuable addition to your library. His reading is wonderful! The humour, inflections, cadences of his deeply knowledgeable and compassionate reading bring the text memorably alive. I would recommend this audiobook to anyone interested in sacred texts and the Tibetan wisdom on the potential 'liberation through understanding the inbetween.'

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liberating and enlightening

didn't fully understand, parts of it seemed to repeat, but subconsciously something clicked. my dreamstate awakened for months after. more recently, felt my higher self hover over me as I slept.

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Tries too hard

This has been the least accessible book in the genre that I have listened too. At times it just seems like verbal diarrhea. It seems like the author is really heavily leaning into the idea that "if it sounds really complex, it will sound much more authoritative and compelling". To me, anyone that understands something really well is able to express it in simple terms. It seems like the author has for a mission to do the exact opposite. It is simply needlessly complicated. He flies through ideas and shapes his sentences in such a way that you need to pause for it to sink in. Not because it is particularly profound but simply because it is drowned in adjectives and spiritual terms that you need a second to absorb and make sense out of. If your goal is to open people to the ideas that will change their lives for the better, why try to constantly use language that makes the teaching needlessly frustrating?

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