Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Liberation, Essay Example

All societies and cultures must contend with the subject of death and dying. For many it is an exercise in understanding something about themselves and also about the world around them. These beliefs in turn affect how people interact, treat each other and contribute to their community. A strong system of values provide immeasurable benefit to their culture.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead is at the core of Buddhist teachings. Through this teaching can be found many of the guidelines and principles that run through the heart of Buddhist society, religion and culture. Through this manuscript the devout learn not only about the rituals, ceremony and circumstances that govern the death of all of their people, but it is also a document that teaches about death and provides valuable information on how they are supposed to live their life.

The documentary I viewed refers to “The Great Liberation.” this term is descriptive of how Buddhists view the transition from death to life. This transition takes the form of a journey that has to be undertaken by the deceased. Spanning a 49-day period of loss, mourning, hope, confusion, transformation, and trial, it culminates with enlightenment and a rebirth into a new life cycle. This journey is punctuated with the aid of family, community and loved ones who join and assist the deceased through prayers. In readings from the Bordo Thotrol (Tibetan Book of the Dead), those who surround the deceased are obligated to join the effort to assist them in finding their way through a period of trial and into a new life.

During the period leading up to the time of death, the Bordo Thotrol describes the end of life as a collapse of the four elements that comprise the body. Earth collapses into water, water collapses into fire, fire collapses into air, and air dissolves into consciousness, perceived as brilliant white light. When consciousness is achieved, there is no darkness, no separation, no direction, and no shape. All is brilliant white light, and this is what is hoped the dead will achieve.

The documentary went on to describe that at time of death, the deceased is very confused and does not realize what has happened. Until the dead recognize what has occurred, they will experience random imagery. This initial step after death is to be expected, and the deceased’s loved ones and community is focused on lending support to them through prayer to help them understand what has occurred.

Additional stages ensue, with another important milestone achieved on the eighth day, which marks the occasion where the body is cremated. This accomplishes a dual objective, as it prevents the deceased from clinging to its former life and body, and it also prevents the living from remaining too attached to that former person. Through this action, the deceased is released of multiple reasons to cling to a former life, and to push forward with their journey.

At three weeks, the deceased is still lost and wandering. They have yet to understand what has happened. They have consciousness without substance, they can go anywhere, and do anything, but they cannot rest. They are quite miserable in this existence, and this is where rebirth becomes the primary objective. Through rebirth they are promised a new life, and any life is preferable to what they are experiencing at this stage of death. As with the other stages of this journey, loved ones and community continue to play a role. They continue to pray, and they continue to push the deceased to move forward.

At this point it is interesting to note core values expressed within this belief system. With the Buddhist theology it is believed that power of the mind trumps the power of the body. It is possible to project our emotional states and create our own reality. Core themes common to any living being are described, such as the fact that everyone longs for compassion, and that it is best to show compassion not only to all people, but all beings. In essence, we must care for others in order to understand ourselves.

At the final stage of this journey, the deceased is confronted with rebirth. If they pay close attention they can alter the course of this rebirth in a favorable manner, and the family/community pray for this to assist in the effort. The rebirth is to this world is not a certain outcome, as there are other potential results that culminate for this journey.

The are multiple themes that can be derived through this belief system. One is that this journey provides many positives for this society. Many of the central themes of The Tibetan Book of the Dead presents positives for their culture. Central themes include truth and compassion for all. These are admirable traits that tend to augment a community and strengthen a collaborative approach to overall benefit of society. In addition, this belief system provides understanding of death. By defining how death is to be perceived, it eliminates a great uncertainty for a culture. This understanding/definition is turned into qualities that benefit the society. Through prayer a family/community assist a deceased member of their community. This effort shows a collegial approach and enforces a shared bond, and collaborative need to work together to achieve goals.

In closing, although the Tibetan Book of the Dead is a Buddhist manuscript I sense a commonality of vision that can be used to describe many beliefs. Compassion and truth are qualities that are universal in nature. This collaborate effort within a community represents a highly positive effort to define and come to terms with one of the most difficult subjects we all must come to terms with, and the approach described through this methodology is an admirable approach to come to terms with the death of a loved one and valued member of a society.