Our lives are filled with beginnings and endings – as each moment passes, a new one appears to take its place.  Nothing stands still.  What happens during the process of change is a state called “the transitional phase”, which in Tibetan is called the “Bardo”.  It is the actual moment of change occurring at the end of one phase and the beginning of the next—it is a condition of great power and potential within which anything could happen—it is a moment of great opportunity for those who perceive it.

The Bardo generally refers to the time in-between the separation of our mind or consciousness from our present physical body, to the time the consciousness enters the mother’s womb for re-birth.  All Tibetan traditions teach:  (1) that there are three main Bardo states; (2) that all sentient beings will experience the Bardo; and finally, (3) that the different Bardo states will arise consecutively.

In the Zhang Zhung Nyan-gyud tradition, the three Bardo states are:

1)  The First Bardo, the Bardo of the Natural State 

2)  The Second Bardo, the Bardo of Clear Light

3)  The Bardo of Becoming, the next life

An experienced practitioner who has prepared and has some knowledge or skills will be able to recognize the Bardo states and, depending on individual capacity and experience, it is possible to reach enlightenment or the complete realization of mind, in the first, second or the third Bardo.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead is primarily concerned with methods that enable people to pass skillfully through the process of death without fear of the many experiences that will be encountered; however, the book is addressed as much to the living as to the dying.  It is a book about how to live, as well as book about how to die.

THE ASPIRATION PRAYER FOR THE BARDO “THE PRECIOUS GARLAND”

A OM HUNG! Now in the Bardo of this life,

We do not recognize the nature of the mind and are distracted by worldly activities.

We do not remember the impermanence of death, focusing on the goals of this life,

Chained by the suffering of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

When this illusory body is suddenly struck with its final illness,

May we self-liberate dualistic desire and attachment.

Lama, please bless us with your compassion.

Bless us to cut the delusory visions of the bardo.

Bless us to recognize the Emptiness mother and Rigpa son.

Thereafter in the bardo of dying,

We must go alone to the next world,

Even though surrounded by all loved ones and relatives,

There is no more time to stay.

When the four elements of this physical body disintegrate,

May we self-liberate dualistic desire and attachment.

Lama, please bless us with your compassion.

Bless us to cut the delusory visions of the bardo.

Bless us to recognize the Emptiness mother and Rigpa son.

When the earth energy dissolves into water,

The strength of the body is lost and there is a feeling like sinking in the ground.

Visions like mirages and swirling dust appear.

When the vivid yellow self-light arises,

May we recognize it as the Buddha of the earth element, Salwa Rangjung (Self-Arisen Clarity).

Lama, please bless us with your compassion.

Bless us to cut the delusory visions of the bardo.

Bless us to recognize the Emptiness mother and Rigpa son.

When the water energy dissolves into fire,

The body loses its luster and becomes thirsty with a dry tongue.

Visions like fog and the feeling of drowning occur.

When the purity of water arises as the blue light,

May we recognize it as the Buddha of the water element, Gawa Dӧndrub (Joyfully Accomplish Benefit)

Lama, please bless us with your compassion.

Bless us to cut the delusory visions of the bardo.

Bless us to recognize the Emptiness mother and Rigpa son.

When the fire energy dissolves into wind,

The body becomes cold and the channels no longer function.

Visions like fireflies appear.

When the vivid red self-light arises,

May we recognize it as the Buddha of the fire element, Jedrak Ngӧmé (Insubstantial Diversity)

Lama, please bless us with your compassion.

Bless us to cut the delusory visions of the bardo.

Bless us to recognize the Emptiness mother and Rigpa son.

When the wind energy dissolves into consciousness,

Breathing stops and the eyes roll back.

Visions like candles being blown out appear.

When the vivid green self-light arises,

May we recognize it as the Buddha of the wind element, Gelha Garchuk (Virtuous Deity of Enriching Dance) .

Lama, please bless us with your compassion.

Bless us to cut the delusory visions of the bardo.

Bless us to recognize the Emptiness mother and Rigpa son.

When consciousness dissolves into the Künzhi (Universal Ground),

The outer objects and inner senses cease,

A vision like a cloudless sky appears.

When the Natural Clear Light Bardo arises,

May we recognize it as the Buddha of the space element, Kün Nang Khyabpa (Pervading All Vision).

Lama, please bless us with your compassion.

Bless us to cut the delusory visions of the bardo.

Bless us to recognize the Emptiness mother and Rigpa son.

When the six consciousnesses and their six objects dissolve in the heart,

Darkness occurs and the rain of blood fills the lake of blood.

When the great sounds are heard and the great lights appear,

May we recognize them as self-appearing illusions,

And may we be enlightened in the expanse of reality of self-knowing Rigpa.

Lama, please bless us with your compassion.

Bless us to cut the delusory visions of the bardo.

Bless us to recognize the Emptiness mother and Rigpa son.

When consciousness emerges from the body without support,

The vision of the fearful Lord of Death on the other side arises,

All the self-appearing delusory sounds, lights, and rays arise.

From recognizing them as self-arisen, natural dynamic energy,

May we be liberated in the Bardo.

Lama, please bless us with your compassion.

Bless us to cut the delusory visions of the bardo.

Bless us to recognize the Emptiness mother and Rigpa son.

Bless us that the door to birth in negative states be shut.

Bless us to realize all vision as illusion.

Bless us to realize the equality of the three times.

Bless us to attain enlightenment of the Three Bodies.

Bless us to be endowed with the five primordial wisdoms.

Bless us to be able to benefit limitless sentient beings.

Lama, please bless us with your compassion.