Bardo teachings
by Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche

Living and Dying Consciously

The Bardo refers to intermediate states of experience. There are many transitory phases that we go through while living and dying. Every gap, every transition is an opportunity for transformation, if at all we know how to consciously make use of them. By knowing how to live consciously with inner peace and compassion for self and others, we can begin to understand the Bardo states. There are Bardo states of dreaming and meditation. We also go through Bardo states during death. We could be of help to others during the process of their death if we know what they undergo. At our own inevitable departure from this life, there is an opportunity to encounter our own true nature (the Buddha-nature, the Clear Light) and to attain the ultimate enlightenment. Thus we learn to face both life and death with courage and inner peace. All are invited to attend this Public Talk, and know about the Vajrayana approach towards facing life and death.

Vajrasattva Empowerment

Vajrasattva practice and realization is one of the foundational steps in the path of 'the Great Perfection Teachings' known as Dzogchen (Mah?sandhi-yoga) and is the basis of Guhyagarbha (gsang ba'i snying po) Tantra also known as the Vajrasatva Mayajala Tantra. Vajrasattva is Buddha of primordial purity and is the condensed essence of the 100 peaceful and wrathful appearances that arise in the Bardo. This empowerment (or alternatively the Shitro 100-deity empowerment) is a pre-requisite to receive the detailed teachings on the Bardo. Vajrasattva practice is an essential element in the daily practice set of a Vajray?na practitioner as it helps in purifying all sorts of negativities and bad karma. The Vajrasattva empowerment would be conferred based on the cycle of terma (treasure) teachings known as Namcho - the Buddha in the Palm of the Hand. This is also one of the foundational practices in the Namcho Ngondro. (The participants should commit to reciting at least the short - six syllable - Vajrasattva mantra for a minimum of 7 times every day, to attend this empowerment)

Bardo Teachings

The Bardo Thodrol (usually known in English as The Tibetan Book of the Dead) can be understood at two levels - first, as an advanced practice for trained meditators, and second, as a support for beings experiencing the Bardo without specific meditative training, experience or empowerment. The Bardo Thodrol is a text based on oral teachings by Padmasambhava and recorded in written form around 760 AD. Bardo Thodrol literally means "The Great Liberation through Hearing in the Intermediate State". This text describes, and is intended to guide one through, the experiences during the interval between death and the next rebirth.The Bardo state is recognized as an opportunity for change; a starting point of transformation. It is understood as a gap between familiar boundaries through which beings can glimpse the absolute true nature of reality. By fully recognizing this ultimate nature, the deceased is capable of breaking the afflictive cycle of rebirth (Samsara) and achieving final liberation - the enlightenment for the sake of all sentient Beings. We usually tend to avoid thinking about or dealing with the fact of death. The refusal to acknowledge the eventuality of death and impermanence is a fundamental cause for the confusion and ignorance that prevents spiritual progress. Spiritual growth is achieved not by avoiding 'unpleasant' facts, but by facing and accepting them during the natural eventuality with calmness, wisdom and compassion. (The prerequisite to attend the Bardo teachings is the preceding Vajrasattva empowerment or alternatively the Shitro 100-deity empowerment.)

Poster