What is the Tibetan Book of the Dead?

The Tibetan Book of the Dead, known as the Bardo Thodal, is a significant Buddhist funerary text that guides the deceased through the intermediate states between death and rebirth. It has influenced Western culture, inspiring figures like John Lennon and Carl Jung. The text describes the Bardo states, where the deceased encounters peaceful and wrathful deities, offering a chance for enlightenment. Originally attributed to Padma Sambava, the text was adapted for Western audiences by Walter Evans Wentz, becoming more of an American spiritual classic. Its cultural impact highlights the intersection of religious globalization and reinterpretation.

What is the Tibetan Book of the Dead also known as?

Who is traditionally responsible for reading the Tibetan Book of the Dead?

What does the term 'Bardo' refer to in the context of the Tibetan Book of the Dead?

How does the Tibetan Book of the Dead relate to the concept of samsara?

What is the significance of recognizing the peaceful and wrathful deities during the Bardo state?

What are 'terma' texts in the context of Tibetan Buddhism?

What is the traditional narrative regarding the discovery of the Tibetan Book of the Dead?

How does the Tibetan Book of the Dead differ in its reception between Tibetan and American audiences?

What role did Walter Evans Wentz play in the popularization of the Tibetan Book of the Dead?

In what ways has the Tibetan Book of the Dead influenced Western culture?