This luxurious collector's edition of The Tibetan Book of the Dead is presented in a stunning gold-embossed hardcover with full-color illustrations.

This classic Buddhist text has its origins in the 'treasure texts', said to have been hidden away by Padmasambhava, the Lotus Guru, in Tibet in the 8th century AD so that they could be revealed at an appropriate later time.

As a funerary text and guide to the afterlife, The Tibetan Book of the Dead was read aloud to the dying or recently deceased so that they could recognize the true nature of the mind and thus attain enlightenment and liberation from the suffering associated with the endless cycle of death and rebirth.

This special collector's edition is sumptuously illustrated in full color, translated by Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup and introduced by John Baldock.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead, Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup (translator), Sirius, Hardcover, 160 pages, $14.99

Having initially trained as a painter and art teacher John Baldock spent several years in France, during which time he studied the history of art at the Ecole du Louvre in Paris. An interest in the symbolism of medieval religious art led to a curiosity about sacred art as an expression of an underlying spiritual dimension. On his return to England John taught art history, eventually leaving teaching to complete a book exploring the spiritual aspect of religious symbolism. His experience as a freelance editor and editorial consultant for a mind, body and spirit publisher has given John the opportunity to pursue his interest in the spiritual core of mainstream religions including Judaeo-Christian-Islamic teachings. He has given talks throughout Europe and the USA on this and related subjects. He has also studied the world�s various religious traditions in some depth. A firm believer in the value of personal exploration of the spiritual dimension of our lives, John continues to question the literal interpretation of spiritual teachings as he undertakes his own journey.

John wrote the Introduction to The Tibetan Book of the Dead translated by Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup.

CONTENTS: The Tibetan Book of the Dead
INTRODUCTION		7
BOOK I The Chikhai Bardo and the Chonyid Bardo		12
o	The Obeisances
o	The Introduction -- The Transference of the Consciousness-Principle -- The Reading of this Thodol -- The Practical Application of the Thodol by the Officiant
Part I The Bardo of the Moments of Death		18
o	Instructions on the Symptoms of Death, or the First Stage of the Chikhai Bardo: The Primary Clear Light Seen at the Moment of Death
o	Instructions Concerning the Second Stage of the Chikhai Bardo: The Secondary Clear Light Seen Immediately After Death
Part II The Bardo and the Experiencing of Reality		28
o	Introductory Instructions Concerning the Experiencing of Reality During the Third Stage of the Bardo, Called Chonyid Bardo, when the Karmic Apparitions Appear
o	The Dawning of the Peaceful Deities, from the First to the Seventh Day -- The First Day -- The Second Day -- The Third Day -- The Fourth Day -- The Fifth Day -- The Sixth Day -- The Seventh Day
o	The Dawning of the Wrathful Deities, from the Eighth to the Fourteenth Day -- Introduction -- The Eighth Day -- The Ninth Day -- The Tenth Day -- The Eleventh Day -- The Twelfth Day -- The Thirteenth Day -- The Fourteenth Day
o	The Conclusion, Showing the Fundamental Importance of the Bardo Teachings
BOOK II The Sidpa Bardo		72
o	The Obeisances
o	Introductory Verses
Part I The After-Death World		76
o	The Bardo Body: Its Birth and Its Supernormal Faculties
o	Characteristics of Existence in the Intermediate State
o	The Judgement
o	The All-Determining Influence of Thought
o	The Dawning of the Lights of the Six Lokas
Part II The Process of Rebirth		94
o	The Closing of the Door of the Womb -- Method of Preventing Entry into a Womb -- The First Method of Closing the Womb-Door -- The Second Method of Closing the Womb-Door -- The Third Method of Closing the Womb-Door -- The Fourth Method of Closing the Womb-Door -- The Fifth Method of Closing the Womb-Door
o	The Choosing of the Womb-Door -- The Premonitory Visions of the Place of Rebirth -- The Protection Against the Tormenting Furies
o	The Alternative Choosing: Supernormal Birth; or Womb-Birth -- Supernormal Birth by Transference to a Paradise Realm -- Womb-Birth: The Return to the Human World
o	The General Conclusion
THE APPENDIX		114
I. The Invocation of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
II. 'The Path of Good Wishes for Saving from the Dangerous Narrow Passageway of the Bardo'
III. ' The Root Verses of the Six Bardos'
IV. 'The Path of Good Wishes which Protecteth from Fear in the Bardo'
V. The Colophon