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

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.

Really

Could they not find someone else to read this interesting book ? It is a challenge to spend 10hours with a voice that is so relentless

pet peeve

The author trying to provide context actually takes me out of wanting to hear it. I hate when translators do this. Do I know everything they are mentioning? No but my desire for hearing an unabridged version vastly outweighs whatever anyone has to say on the matter.

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

Preparing for Death while alive

Through the practices in this text one can prepare for the eventuality of death while still alive. Coming to terms with a process that is 100% for all, for me takes the fear and anxiety out of many things in life.
The translator and reading from Robert Thurman I feel has been performed with the modern reader in mind. Thank you for this wonderful jem! Thukjeche!

Thurman never should read a book

what a boring voice



what a boring voice Thurman have i feel like his mouth is full of saliva. He is destroying the book for me.

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.

not best narration

interesting book i had not read anything about Tibetan religion so it was cool, though the speech pattern of the narrator was annoying

Read this stupid

If all else fails and you can’t reach liberation in your lifetime this book will guide you through so you can reach your goals in the here after some people are skeptical and those are the people that will suffer the worst I have compassion for you and hope someday you See the light

Worthy of a listening

This is a great audiobook to listen to. I enjoyed the author reading the book because of his placement of emotional emphasis when needed. Really worthy of a listen. I enjoyed it