The Tibetan Book Of The Dead

[Korablestroitelej]

Can anyone suggest some particularly nice passages to read at a funeral?

[Korablestroitelej]

Can anyone suggest some particularly nice passages to read at a funeral?

[Taeguk]

Hi, Korablestroitelej! :)

You asked:

Can anyone suggest some particularly nice passages to read at a funeral?

I'm not sure the Bardo Thodol is the best choice of reading at a funeral. It's basically a guidebook for moving through the bardos ("dream states") of death.

It contains both instructions for the reader, as well as actual passages to be read:



"O nobly-born (so and so by name), the time hath now come for thee to seek the Path [in reality]. Thy breathing is about to cease. Thy guru hath set thee face to face before with the Clear Light; and now thou art about to experience it in its Reality in the Bardo state, wherein all things are like the void and cloudless sky, and the naked, spotless intellect is like unto a transparent vacuum without circumference or centre. At this moment, know thou thyself; and abide in that state. I, too, at this time, am setting thee face to face."

In saying this, the reader shall put his lips close to the ear, and shall repeat it distinctly, clearly impressing it upon the dying person so as to prevent his mind from wandering even for a moment.



To me, it would be inappropriate reciting portions of it at a funeral; it would be like having a Roman Catholic priest recite the Last Rites over a casket. It's intended to be read either as the individual is dying, or in a ritual ceremony involving an effigy of the deceased.

If it were me, I'd choose something from the Sutras or the Dhammapada to read at a funeral. Still, if you really want something from the Book of the Dead, I would suggest the following passage:


Thine own intellect, which is now voidness, yet not to be regarded as of the voidness of nothingness, but as being the intellect itself, unobstructed, shining, thrilling, and blissful, is the very consciousness, the All-good Buddha.

Thine own consciousness, not formed into anything, in reality void, and the intellect, shining and blissful, -- these two, -- are inseparable. The union of them is the Dharma-Kâya state of Perfect Enlightenment.

Thine own consciousness, shining, void, and inseparable from the Great Body of Radiance, hath no birth, nor death, and is the Immutable Light -- Buddha Amitâbha.

Knowing this is sufficient. Recognizing the voidness of thine own intellect to be Buddhahood, and looking upon it as being thine own consciousness, is to keep thyself in the [state of the] divine mind of the Buddha.

[Taeguk]

Hi, Korablestroitelej! :)

You asked:

Can anyone suggest some particularly nice passages to read at a funeral?

I'm not sure the Bardo Thodol is the best choice of reading at a funeral. It's basically a guidebook for moving through the bardos ("dream states") of death.

It contains both instructions for the reader, as well as actual passages to be read:



"O nobly-born (so and so by name), the time hath now come for thee to seek the Path [in reality]. Thy breathing is about to cease. Thy guru hath set thee face to face before with the Clear Light; and now thou art about to experience it in its Reality in the Bardo state, wherein all things are like the void and cloudless sky, and the naked, spotless intellect is like unto a transparent vacuum without circumference or centre. At this moment, know thou thyself; and abide in that state. I, too, at this time, am setting thee face to face."

In saying this, the reader shall put his lips close to the ear, and shall repeat it distinctly, clearly impressing it upon the dying person so as to prevent his mind from wandering even for a moment.



To me, it would be inappropriate reciting portions of it at a funeral; it would be like having a Roman Catholic priest recite the Last Rites over a casket. It's intended to be read either as the individual is dying, or in a ritual ceremony involving an effigy of the deceased.

If it were me, I'd choose something from the Sutras or the Dhammapada to read at a funeral. Still, if you really want something from the Book of the Dead, I would suggest the following passage:


Thine own intellect, which is now voidness, yet not to be regarded as of the voidness of nothingness, but as being the intellect itself, unobstructed, shining, thrilling, and blissful, is the very consciousness, the All-good Buddha.

Thine own consciousness, not formed into anything, in reality void, and the intellect, shining and blissful, -- these two, -- are inseparable. The union of them is the Dharma-Kâya state of Perfect Enlightenment.

Thine own consciousness, shining, void, and inseparable from the Great Body of Radiance, hath no birth, nor death, and is the Immutable Light -- Buddha Amitâbha.

Knowing this is sufficient. Recognizing the voidness of thine own intellect to be Buddhahood, and looking upon it as being thine own consciousness, is to keep thyself in the [state of the] divine mind of the Buddha.

[Taeguk]

Am I in for a good read?
What will I recognize from a Waking Life Taeguk?

I think you are definitely in for a good read :thumbsup:

As for Waking Life, I think you could say the entire movie is essentially a journey through a bardo or "intermediate state". The Book of the Dead is essentially a reminder that this is a dream, and that's time to wake up! :)