The Tibetan Book of the Dead

Color Plates and Illustrations.
vii Preface
ix Propaedeutic Note
xxi Introduction by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
xxv The Great Liberation Through Hearing
Prologue 3
Premise. 5
Instructions 9
Introduction to the Clear Light in the Intermediate State of the Moment of Death 10
Introduction to the Clear Light of the Base 10
Introduction to the Clear Light of the Path 15
Introduction to Recognizing the Intermediate State of Reality 18
The Vision of the Peaceful Deities in the Intermediate State of Reality 21
The Vision of the Wrathful Deities in the Intermediate State of Reality 46
Conclusion of the Introduction to the Intermediate State of the Moment of Death and the Intermediate State of Reality 67
Introduction to the Intermediate State of Rebirth  69
Introduction to the Mental Body 69
Obstructing Womb Entrances 84
Choosing a Womb Entrance 95
Conclusion 105
Invocations About These Invocations 109
The Invocation That Calls to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for Help: Natural Liberation from Fear 110
The Invocation That Rescues from the Perilous Paths of the Intermediate States 112
The Invocation That Protects from Fear of the Intermediate States 116
The Root Verses of the Six Intermediate States About These Verses 119 The
Verses. 121
Epilogue 125
Appendix A: Recognizing the Signs of Encroaching Death 127
Appendix B: Further Ways to Assist the Dying and the Dead 133
Appendix C: The Symbolism of the Mandala of the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities 147
The Forty-Two Peaceful Deities 150
The Awareness Holders 64
The Fifty-Eight Wrathful Deities 165
Notes 183
Bibliography 231
Index 245
About the Authors and Contributors 255