Difference between revisions of "The Bardo States"
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The [[Bardo States]] | The [[Bardo States]] | ||
| − | Central to the [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|concept}} of after-[[life]] [[existence]] is the [[Bardo]] . The [[word]] means literally "[[intermediate state]]". According to [[Tibetan]] [[esotericists]], steeped as they are in [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|learning}}, all [[existence]] is [[nothing]] but a series of alternating transitional states, or "[[bardos]] ". Waking, [[sleeping]] , [[meditating]] , dying, wandering in the [[spirit]] [[world]] , [[reincarnating]]; all these are [[bardos]] . Generally however, the term is used to designate the period from [[physical]] [[death]] to [[physical]] [[rebirth]] . And, just as waking [[existence]] can be divided into [[bardos]] (such as waking and [[sleeping]] ), so can the [[afterlife]] [[existence]]. | + | |
| + | Central to the [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|concept}} of after-[[life]] [[existence]] is the [[Bardo]] . The [[word]] means literally "[[intermediate state]]". According to [[Tibetan]] [[esotericists]], steeped as they are in [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|learning}}, all | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[existence]] is [[nothing]] but a series of alternating transitional states, or "[[bardos]] ". Waking, [[sleeping]] , [[meditating]] , dying, wandering in the [[spirit]] [[world]] , [[reincarnating]]; all these are [[bardos]] . Generally however, the term is used to | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | designate the period from [[physical]] [[death]] to [[physical]] [[rebirth]] . And, just as waking [[existence]] can be divided into [[bardos]] (such as waking and [[sleeping]] ), so can the [[afterlife]] [[existence]]. | ||
| + | |||
Basically then, the [[Bardo Thodel]] describes a {{Wiki|distinct}} sequence of states ([[bardos]] ) through which the {{Wiki|individual}} passes through between [[death]] and [[rebirth]] . There are three {{Wiki|distinct}} stages , which are as follows: | Basically then, the [[Bardo Thodel]] describes a {{Wiki|distinct}} sequence of states ([[bardos]] ) through which the {{Wiki|individual}} passes through between [[death]] and [[rebirth]] . There are three {{Wiki|distinct}} stages , which are as follows: | ||
| − | The [[Chikai Bardo]] (or[[ hChi-kha Bar-do]] – a number of [[Tibetan]] letters are [[silent]] ) or [[Intermediate]] period of the moment of [[death]] . This includes the process of dying; and the [[dissolution]] of the [[elements]] ([[earth]] , [[water]], [[fire]], and [[air]]) that make up the [[physical body]] . During this period one [[experiences]] the "[[Clear Light]] ", one's own innate [[Buddha-nature]] . This is therefore a very [[favourable]] moment for the [[attainment]] of [[Enlightenment]] and [[liberation]] from the [[wheel]] of [[rebirth]] . | + | |
| + | The [[Chikai Bardo]] (or[[ hChi-kha Bar-do]] – a number of [[Tibetan]] letters are [[silent]] ) or [[Intermediate]] period of the [[moment]] of [[death]] . This includes the process of dying; and the [[dissolution]] of the [[elements]] ([[earth]] , [[water]], [[fire]], and | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [[air]]) that make up the [[physical body]] . During this period one [[experiences]] the "[[Clear Light]] ", one's [[own]] innate [[Buddha-nature]] . This is therefore a very [[favourable]] [[moment]] for the [[attainment]] of [[Enlightenment]] and [[liberation]] from the [[wheel]] of [[rebirth]] . | ||
The [[Tibetan]] account of the [[Chikai Bardo]] shows striking parallels with the so-called "Near [[Death]] [[Experience]]" of [[people]] who have [[died]], [[experienced]] themselves floating out of their [[bodies]] , and so on, and then been revived. | The [[Tibetan]] account of the [[Chikai Bardo]] shows striking parallels with the so-called "Near [[Death]] [[Experience]]" of [[people]] who have [[died]], [[experienced]] themselves floating out of their [[bodies]] , and so on, and then been revived. | ||
| − | The [[Chonyid Bardo]] (or [[Chos-nidd Bar-do]]) or [[Intermediate]] period of visions of [[deities]]. This refers to the state where one [[experiences]] visions of [[deities]] , [[Heaven]] and [[Hell]] , [[Judgment]], and so on. {{Wiki|Modern}} writers have been struck by the parallels with the {{Wiki|psychedelic}} and psychotic states, and [[experiences]] of "{{Wiki|astral}} travelling" and the "{{Wiki|astral}} plane" | + | The [[Chonyid Bardo]] (or [[Chos-nidd Bar-do]]) or [[Intermediate]] period of [[visions]] of [[deities]]. This refers to the [[state]] where one [[experiences]] [[visions]] of [[deities]] , [[Heaven]] and [[Hell]] , [[Judgment]], and so on. {{Wiki|Modern}} writers have been struck by the parallels with the {{Wiki|psychedelic}} and psychotic states, and [[experiences]] of "{{Wiki|astral}} travelling" and the "{{Wiki|astral}} plane" |
The [[Sidpa Bardo]] (or [[Srid-pa'i Bar-do]]) or Inter-mediate period of [[rebirth]]. During this [[bardo]] the [[consciousness]] descends and chooses a new [[body]] to be born into. ([[Buddhists]] do not accept the [[existence]] of a single continuing {{Wiki|entity}} which "[[reincarnates]]", and refer instead to the "[[rebirth]] " of the [[consciousness]] -{{Wiki|stream}} in a new [[body]] ). | The [[Sidpa Bardo]] (or [[Srid-pa'i Bar-do]]) or Inter-mediate period of [[rebirth]]. During this [[bardo]] the [[consciousness]] descends and chooses a new [[body]] to be born into. ([[Buddhists]] do not accept the [[existence]] of a single continuing {{Wiki|entity}} which "[[reincarnates]]", and refer instead to the "[[rebirth]] " of the [[consciousness]] -{{Wiki|stream}} in a new [[body]] ). | ||
| − | The number of days given in the [[Tibetan Book of the Dead]] – 49 – is obviously [[symbolic]] , although the [[Tibetans]] themselves, like all [[people]] (including Westerners) who are immersed in a particular [[religious]] [[tradition]] , take it in a literal context. | + | The number of days given in the [[Tibetan Book of the Dead]] – 49 – is obviously [[symbolic]] , although the [[Tibetans]] themselves, like all [[people]] ([[including]] [[Westerners]]) who are immersed in a particular [[religious]] [[tradition]] , take it in a literal context. |
Latest revision as of 14:01, 1 January 2024
The Bardo States
Central to the Tibetan concept of after-life existence is the Bardo . The word means literally "intermediate state". According to Tibetan esotericists, steeped as they are in Buddhist learning, all
existence is nothing but a series of alternating transitional states, or "bardos ". Waking, sleeping , meditating , dying, wandering in the spirit world , reincarnating; all these are bardos . Generally however, the term is used to
designate the period from physical death to physical rebirth . And, just as waking existence can be divided into bardos (such as waking and sleeping ), so can the afterlife existence.
Basically then, the Bardo Thodel describes a distinct sequence of states (bardos ) through which the individual passes through between death and rebirth . There are three distinct stages , which are as follows:
The Chikai Bardo (orhChi-kha Bar-do – a number of Tibetan letters are silent ) or Intermediate period of the moment of death . This includes the process of dying; and the dissolution of the elements (earth , water, fire, and
air) that make up the physical body . During this period one experiences the "Clear Light ", one's own innate Buddha-nature . This is therefore a very favourable moment for the attainment of Enlightenment and liberation from the wheel of rebirth .
The Tibetan account of the Chikai Bardo shows striking parallels with the so-called "Near Death Experience" of people who have died, experienced themselves floating out of their bodies , and so on, and then been revived.
The Chonyid Bardo (or Chos-nidd Bar-do) or Intermediate period of visions of deities. This refers to the state where one experiences visions of deities , Heaven and Hell , Judgment, and so on. Modern writers have been struck by the parallels with the psychedelic and psychotic states, and experiences of "astral travelling" and the "astral plane"
The Sidpa Bardo (or Srid-pa'i Bar-do) or Inter-mediate period of rebirth. During this bardo the consciousness descends and chooses a new body to be born into. (Buddhists do not accept the existence of a single continuing entity which "reincarnates", and refer instead to the "rebirth " of the consciousness -stream in a new body ).
The number of days given in the Tibetan Book of the Dead – 49 – is obviously symbolic , although the Tibetans themselves, like all people (including Westerners) who are immersed in a particular religious tradition , take it in a literal context.
