The Tibetan Book of the Dead

Liberation Through Understanding in the Between

By: Robert Thurman - translator

Narrated by: Robert Thurman

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

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

loved it.

amazing read. it's a synthesis of ancient wisdom, mystic experience while being modern and approachable.

The Magic of it all.

This is a book that will open your OTHER senses; those senses you forgot you had.

Nibanna

May this empty Samsara

Loving Kindness Meditation
Compassion Meditation
Sympathetic Joy Meditation
Equanimity Meditation

Master on the topic

Bob knows his stuff. This is not easy material to hear and digest. But when it sinks in… is very powerful.

Richard Gere version on DVD way better

Too dumbed down and too much commentary per amount of text read. Narration barely tolerable, like listening to an old man yellong Get Off My Lawn. Im sad audible doesn't carry the Gere narration that seems a more authentic translation.

i have attained enlightenment :)

im a buddha now boyoz! i made it! xD

The Book of Liberation was a bonus in this so i wasnt expect that

great story

This is a good book to start off but maybe the narrator could be a different person

not made for audiobook format

The author/narrator clearly knows the subject and does well, but this is not meant for this medium, in my opinion

Loved it, super helpful

Robert Thurman reads the book himself. He loves this topic and always reads his books with a passion that makes them engaging and interesting. This is the Bardo Thodol. It is the Tibetan book on what happens during the “in-between-state” or, in its most highlighted occurrence , the period between death and birth. Thurman goes over the many other kinds of Bardos we experience, over the Tibetan view on preparing for the larger transition of death, and over what we can do for ourselves and others who might find themselves in the “between” state after death. Many translations and commentaries are included. Many practices and prayers. He offers ideas for non-Buddhists as well, be they secular-materialists who do not believe in any consciousness after death, or members of other religions. While I think these would be useful to people of other belief systems one should know that the overwhelming amount of material in this book is from a Buddhist perspective and in particular the Tibetan Buddhist perspective on what occurs after death, as well as how to best navigate that journey.

Extremely helpful and enlightening. I hope to listen to it again sometime.

Beautiful. Helpful.

I appreciate this reading so so much. I have attempted to read this on my own many times and haven't gotten through it. This is such a great opportunity.