The Tibetan Book of the Dead

The Tibetan Book Of The Dead has a mysterious, even ominous sound to it conjuring up thoughts of mystical contact with dead spirits in some sort of secret way. The Canadian Film Board, two-part documentary film, The Tibetan Book Of The Dead – A Way Of Life – The Great Liberation, narrated by Leonard Cohen explores the actuality behind the mythical title. The Dali Lama makes a brief appearance in the film to help explain the connection to Buddhist thought. The realities of death cannot be disputed or avoided. The Tibetan Book Of The Dead is an ancient archive of guidance and strength. It remains a source of wisdom and teaching beginning with the spiritual cultures of the Himalayas. This documentary is an authentic, insightful look at these traditions.

This DVD explores two different deaths occurring in Buddhist families: one death of an ancient man who had a rich, full life and one of a young, successful man struck down in the prime of his life. It gives a great account of how Buddhists deal with grief in these two different situations. It also interviews an ancient Buddhist monk about what he desires for the rest of his life, and an investigation of a young boy who might be the reincarnation of a great spiritual figure, and why people think the boy may be the man. The narration by Leonard Cohen is stunning: I couldn't imagine a more appropriate voice and style. The only reason it's not getting 5 stars is the relatively mediocre production values, but considering the remote location and the arduous environment, it's not surprising.

This is a very interesting book for someone trying to get down to the nitty gritty of death and to see how others view death. In the western world we are taught what our parents were taught not that it is the truth about death and dying. American is a melting pot of cultures that's why we have so many religions. I wanted to know how others view the process. As a retired RN that worked ICU I started to disbelieve what I was taught. From having so many patients that were clinically dead to come back and tell me where they were and what they saw I had to start my own spiritual journey and this book helped me look back to the beginning.

This video although is very interesting and is about an important topic, in my opinion it could be better done. When you make a video is not only about showing images. Music is one element that should be in harmony with that of what is going on. The music of this video is very disturbing and out of its context. A solo Soprano sax with an electric drum set playing ay notes here and there makes this video to be completely not so pleasant to see. Ok you may say that the content and essence is the most important... then if that is the case, one should be mindful of how to reach the senses of the audience who ultimate is probably a wide secular one, and maybe first to approach to this topic. So the way to approach must be in all senses good....

I PURCHASED THE TIBETAN BOOK OF THE DEAD DVD FROM AMAZON. I HAD SEEN THIS VERY INFORMATIVE AND TOUCHING STORY NARRATED BY LEONARD COHEN QUITE A FEW YEARS AGO ON TV. I WAS VERY PLEASED WHEN I FOUND IT WAS AVAILABLE NOW AT AMAZON. PART 1 A WAY OF LIFE IS ABOUT THE TIBETAN BOOK OF THE DEAD WHICH STILL REMAINS AN ESSENTIAL TEACHING ORIGINATING IN THE SPIRITUAL CULTURES OF THE HIMALAYAS. PART 2 THE GREAT LIBERATION FOLLOWS AN OLD LAMA AND HIS NOVICE MONK AS THEY GUIDE A HIMALAYAN VILLAGER INTO THE AFTERLIFE WITH READINGS FROM THE TIBETAN BOOK OF THE DEAD WHICH IS A VERY INFORMATIVE INSIGHT INTO A VERY OLD CULTURE. VERY WELL DONE AND ACCENTUATED WITH THE BEAUTIFUL VOICE OF LEONARD COHEN.

Adore the real life persons involved in this venture....It made me wish someone would care for my body and soul the way grandpa and his protege were shown to do...After watching this i was inspired to seek further info on the BARDO'S and started to nag my husband that I wished to leave my body this way,MUCH TO HIS DISMAY...Have forwarded this DVD to a relative with stage 4 cancer...

Leonard Cohen's voice is amazingly well-suited to narrate this. Somehow it adds a deep other worldliness to the material. Although I had studied Buddhism academically, I can honestly say that this DVD is what brought it to me on a much more emotional level. My understanding of the Bardo of Becoming has been greatly shaped by this DVD and I highly recommend it to anyone who is curious to learn more. It is suitable for a beginner, with only a limited knowledge of Buddhism.

What a fine video/DVD! Informative enough, scenic enough, touching enough, spiritual enough. Buddhist thought is often complicated, even when explained simply. This DVD joins that genre with enough complexity to be interesting and enough simplifaction to be a little on the light side for students who sat down and read the book. Helpful? Yes! For everyone? Perhaps. The complete explanation? No. Anuttarasamyaksambodhi? Not yet.

An inside look at how Tibetans view death and honour the dead. Some of the footage appears to be rarefootage and certainly gives one a birds eye view of the ceremonial process that take place when aperson is dying. This documentary is in two stages. The second half repeats some of whatis in the first part but goes into more depth regarding the rituals and readings used to help one move intothe spirit world and readings to help spirit once the body has been left behind. I highly recommend thisdocumentary as it gives one an opportunity to view and understand death through different eyes. If youare interested in the Tibetan perspective this is a must see and if you are interested in opening up yourhorizon and come from a different religious or spiritual orientation you won't be disappointed.

A very interesting exploration of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. It feels partly anthropological documentary, part spiritual guide. Leonard Cohen's narration brings a suitable gravitas and reverence to it.

i ordered this book because I was studying tibetan buddism. this book has a lot of helpful information for students of buddhism.

Very interesting and worth watching if you are into such spiritual matters. Something that has perked our interest now for sure.

a cleverly unobtrusive insight into tibetan buddhist life