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1To Mr. E. S. Bouchier, M.A. (Oxon.), F. R. Hist. S., author of Syria as a Roman Province, A Short flistory of Antioch, &c., my heartiest thanks are due for the assistance which he has so kindly rendered in reading the whole of this book when in proof. Sardar Bahadur S.W. Laden La, Chief of Police, Darjeeling, who sent me to Gangtok with a Ictter of introduction to the late Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup, the translator of the Bardo Thodol; Dr. Johan Van Manen, Secretary of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta, who lent me Tibetan books which proved very helpful while the translation was taking shape, and who afterwards contributed advice concerning transla- tions; and Dr. Cassius A. Pereira, of Colombo, Ceylon, who criticized parts of the Introduction in the light of Theravada Buddhism, are among many others to whom my thanks are due. Thus, under the best of auspices, this book is sent forth to the world, in the hope that it may contribute something to the sum total of Right Knowledge, and serve as one more spiritual strand in an unbreakable bond of good will and universal peace, binding East and West together in mutual respect and under- standing, and in love such as overleaps every barrier of creed and caste and race. W. Y. E-W. Jesus Cottece, OxForp, Easter, 1927. I. RENUNCIATION “Get thee away from life-lust, from conceit, From ignorance, and from distraction’s craze ; Sunder the bonds; so only shalt thou come To utter end of Ill. Throw off the Chain Of birth and death—thou knowest what they mean. So, free from craving, in this life on earth, Thou shalt go on thy way calm and serene.’—The Buddha. Psalms of the Early Buddhists, 1. Wi (Mrs. Rhys Davids’ Translation). Hl. VICTORY ‘But anguish crept upon me, even me, Whenas I pondered in my little cell: Ah me! how have I come into this evil road. Into the power of Craving have I strayed! Brief is the span of life yet left to me; Old age, disease, hang imminent to crush. Now ere this body perish and dissolve, Swift let me be; no time have I for sloth. And contemplating, as they really are, The Aggregates of Life that come and go, I rose and stood with mind emancipate! For me the Buddha’s words had come to pass’.— Mittakali, a Brahmin Bhikbhuni. Psalms of the Early Buddhists, I, xliii (Mrs. Rhys Davids’ Translation). COME NTS PREFACE ILLUSTRATIONS FOREWORD: The Science of Death, by Sir John Woodroffe . INTRODUCTION I. II. iF The Importance of the ee Thodol . < ae fs The Symbolism The Esoteric Significance of the — Nine — of the Bardo . . The Esoteric Significance of the Five Elements . The Wisdom Teachings . The Death Ceremonies . The Bardo, or After-Death State . The Psychology of the Bardo Visions . The Judgement . The Rebirth Doctrine . . The Cosmography . The Fundamental Teachings Summarized . The Manuscript . The Origin of the Bardo Thédol . . The Translating and the Editing . BOOK ad THE CAlkaAl BARDO AND THE CHONYID BARDO
2The Psychology of the Bardo Visions . The Judgement . The Rebirth Doctrine . . The Cosmography . The Fundamental Teachings Summarized . The Manuscript . The Origin of the Bardo Thédol . . The Translating and the Editing . BOOK ad THE CAlkaAl BARDO AND THE CHONYID BARDO THE OBEISANCES THE INTRODUCTION The Transference of the Censsneneess pees The Reading of this Thédol . The Practical Application of this Thodol By the Omsen . xiV CONTENTS Pak ol THE BARDO OF THE MOMENTS OF DEATH INSTRUCTIONS ON THE SYMPTOMS OF DEATH, OR THE FIRST STAGE OF THE CH/IKHAI BARDO: THE PRIMARY CLEAR LIGHT SEEN AT THE MOMENT OF DEATH INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE SECOND , STAGE OF THE CHIKHAI BARDO: THE SECONDARY CLEAR LIGHT SEEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEATH Peo vL THE BARDO OF THE EXPERIENCING OF GREATLY INTRODUCTORY INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE EXPERIENCING OF REALITY DURING THE THIRD STAGE OF THE BARDO, CALLED THE CHONYID BARDO, WHEN THE KARMIC APPARITIONS AP- PEAR . . 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 . THE DAWNING OF TIIE 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 THE CONCLUSION, SHOWING THE FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE OF THE BARDO TEACHINGS 89 oF IolI TO4 TO5 108 LIO IIl2 TI5 118 126 131 131 136 138 138 139 140 141 Le Fs) 151 CONTENTS BOOK II PAE S/DPA BARDO . THE OBEISANCES INTRODUCTORY VERSES PARI A THE AFTER-DEATH WORLD nt LBAKDO BODY: ITS BIRTH AND ITS SUPER- NORMAL FACULTIES : : GUARACTERISIMICS OF EXISTENCE IN THE INTER- MEDIATE STATE 5 > ae fe ee : THE JUDGEMENT THE ALL-DETERMINING INFLUENCE OF THOUGHT . THE DAWNING OF THE LIGHTS OF THE SIX ZOKAS. Pak 1! THE PROCESS OF REBIRTH 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 , THE CHOOSING OF THE WOMB-DOOR The Premonitory Visions of the Place of Rebirth The Protection against the Tormenting Furies . THE ALTERNATIVE CHOOSING: SUPERNORMAL BIRTH; OR WOMB-BIRTH . Supernormal Birth by Transference to a patie oe Womb-Birth: the Return to the Human World THE GENERAL CONCLUSION ESD 155 175 176 176 TY 178 180 18x 183 183 185 188 189 Igo 193 xvi CONTENTS THE APEEMiirs. I. THE INVOCATION OF THE BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS Il. ‘THE PATH OF GOOD WISHES FOR SAVING FROM THE DANGEROUS NARROW PASSAGE-WAY OF THE SAKRDO : , . ‘ Ill. “THE ROOT VERSES OF THE SIX 2ARnDCS: IV. ‘THE PATH OF GOOD WISHES WHICH PROTECT- ETH FROM FEAR IN THE BARDO’ V. THE COLOPHON ADDENDA
3I. THE INVOCATION OF THE BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS Il. ‘THE PATH OF GOOD WISHES FOR SAVING FROM THE DANGEROUS NARROW PASSAGE-WAY OF THE SAKRDO : , . ‘ Ill. “THE ROOT VERSES OF THE SIX 2ARnDCS: IV. ‘THE PATH OF GOOD WISHES WHICH PROTECT- ETH FROM FEAR IN THE BARDO’ V. THE COLOPHON ADDENDA I YOGA II. TANTRICISM HI. MANTRAS, OR WORDS OF POWER IV. THE GURU AND SHISHYA il ae" AND INITIATIONS : V. REALITY VI. NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN BUDDHISM AND CHRISTIANITY ee : VIL. THE MEDIEVAL CHRISTIAN "JUDGEMENT INDEX 197 202 205 Web vstkATIONS I. THE TRANSLATOR AND THE EDITOR . preceding Plate II From a photograph of the Translator and the Editor in Tibetan dress, taken in Gangtok, Sikkim, during the year 1919. II. FOLIOS 35a AND 672 OF THE BARDO THODOL MS. Frontispiece A photographic reproduction (about two-thirds of the original size). In the original the illuminations are in colour (now much faded) painted on the folios (cf. p. 68). The painting on the upper folio illustrates, with the colours, emblems, and orientation in strict accord with the traditions of Tibetan monastic art, the description in the text of the united mandalas, or divine conclaves, of the Peaceful Deities of the First to the Sixth Day of the Bardo that dawn thus in one complete conclave on the Sixth Day (cf. pp. 118-26). In the central circle (Centre) is the Dhyani Buddha Vairochana, embraced by his shakt:, or divine spouse, the Mother of Infinite Space. In the next circle, each likewise embraced by his shat, are the four Dhyani Buddhas, who, with Vairochana, constitute the mazdala of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. In the outermost circle are typical Bodhisattvas and other deities who accompany the Five Dhyani Buddhas (cf. pp. 118-20); and in the four small outer circles the four female Door-Keepers of the complete conclave (cf. p. 120). The painting on the lower folio similarly illustrates, in colours, emblems, and orientation, the united mandalas of the Wrathful Deities of the Eighth to the Fourteenth Day that dawn thus in one complete conclave on the Fourteenth Day (cf. pp. 143-6). In the cruciform design at the centre are the three-headed Herukas of the Buddha, Vajra, Ratna, Padma, and Karma Order, each with his shakti, that dawn, mandala by mandala, from the Eighth to the Twelfth Day (cf. pp. 136-41). The outer circle contains repre- sentations of the various animal-headed deities that dawn on the Thirteenth and the Fourteenth Day (cf. pp. 141-6). In the four small outer circles are the Four Yoginis of the Door (cf. pp. 145-6). The translation of the text on the two folios is indicated by special markings on pages I20 and 144. Il]. EFFIGY OF THE DEAD PERSON ee mae One a8 A reproduction (slightly reduced) of a copy of a Tibetan printed Chang-ku paper. 3069 ¢ xviii ILLUSTRATIONS IV. THE GREAT MANDALA OF THE PEACEFUL DEITIES facing p. 118
The source text as printed, transcribed diplomatically. Where the source language uses a non-Latin script that reaches us only through a Victorian romanisation, this layer is labelled transliteration, because that is what we hold.
1To Mr. E. S. Bouchier, M.A. (Oxon.), F. R. Hist. S., author of Syria as a Roman Province, A Short flistory of Antioch, &c., my heartiest thanks are due for the assistance which he has so kindly rendered in reading the whole of this book when in proof. Sardar Bahadur S.W. Laden La, Chief of Police, Darjeeling, who sent me to Gangtok with a Ictter of introduction to the late Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup, the translator of the Bardo Thodol; Dr. Johan Van Manen, Secretary of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta, who lent me Tibetan books which proved very helpful while the translation was taking shape, and who afterwards contributed advice concerning transla- tions; and Dr. Cassius A. Pereira, of Colombo, Ceylon, who criticized parts of the Introduction in the light of Theravada Buddhism, are among many others to whom my thanks are due. Thus, under the best of auspices, this book is sent forth to the world, in the hope that it may contribute something to the sum total of Right Knowledge, and serve as one more spiritual strand in an unbreakable bond of good will and universal peace, binding East and West together in mutual respect and under- standing, and in love such as overleaps every barrier of creed and caste and race. W. Y. E-W. Jesus Cottece, OxForp, Easter, 1927. I. RENUNCIATION “Get thee away from life-lust, from conceit, From ignorance, and from distraction’s craze ; Sunder the bonds; so only shalt thou come To utter end of Ill. Throw off the Chain Of birth and death—thou knowest what they mean. So, free from craving, in this life on earth, Thou shalt go on thy way calm and serene.’—The Buddha. Psalms of the Early Buddhists, 1. Wi (Mrs. Rhys Davids’ Translation). Hl. VICTORY ‘But anguish crept upon me, even me, Whenas I pondered in my little cell: Ah me! how have I come into this evil road. Into the power of Craving have I strayed! Brief is the span of life yet left to me; Old age, disease, hang imminent to crush. Now ere this body perish and dissolve, Swift let me be; no time have I for sloth. And contemplating, as they really are, The Aggregates of Life that come and go, I rose and stood with mind emancipate! For me the Buddha’s words had come to pass’.— Mittakali, a Brahmin Bhikbhuni. Psalms of the Early Buddhists, I, xliii (Mrs. Rhys Davids’ Translation). COME NTS PREFACE ILLUSTRATIONS FOREWORD: The Science of Death, by Sir John Woodroffe . INTRODUCTION I. II. iF The Importance of the ee Thodol . < ae fs The Symbolism The Esoteric Significance of the — Nine — of the Bardo . . The Esoteric Significance of the Five Elements . The Wisdom Teachings . The Death Ceremonies . The Bardo, or After-Death State . The Psychology of the Bardo Visions . The Judgement . The Rebirth Doctrine . . The Cosmography . The Fundamental Teachings Summarized . The Manuscript . The Origin of the Bardo Thédol . . The Translating and the Editing . BOOK ad THE CAlkaAl BARDO AND THE CHONYID BARDO
2The Psychology of the Bardo Visions . The Judgement . The Rebirth Doctrine . . The Cosmography . The Fundamental Teachings Summarized . The Manuscript . The Origin of the Bardo Thédol . . The Translating and the Editing . BOOK ad THE CAlkaAl BARDO AND THE CHONYID BARDO THE OBEISANCES THE INTRODUCTION The Transference of the Censsneneess pees The Reading of this Thédol . The Practical Application of this Thodol By the Omsen . xiV CONTENTS Pak ol THE BARDO OF THE MOMENTS OF DEATH INSTRUCTIONS ON THE SYMPTOMS OF DEATH, OR THE FIRST STAGE OF THE CH/IKHAI BARDO: THE PRIMARY CLEAR LIGHT SEEN AT THE MOMENT OF DEATH INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE SECOND , STAGE OF THE CHIKHAI BARDO: THE SECONDARY CLEAR LIGHT SEEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEATH Peo vL THE BARDO OF THE EXPERIENCING OF GREATLY INTRODUCTORY INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE EXPERIENCING OF REALITY DURING THE THIRD STAGE OF THE BARDO, CALLED THE CHONYID BARDO, WHEN THE KARMIC APPARITIONS AP- PEAR . . 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 . THE DAWNING OF TIIE 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 THE CONCLUSION, SHOWING THE FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE OF THE BARDO TEACHINGS 89 oF IolI TO4 TO5 108 LIO IIl2 TI5 118 126 131 131 136 138 138 139 140 141 Le Fs) 151 CONTENTS BOOK II PAE S/DPA BARDO . THE OBEISANCES INTRODUCTORY VERSES PARI A THE AFTER-DEATH WORLD nt LBAKDO BODY: ITS BIRTH AND ITS SUPER- NORMAL FACULTIES : : GUARACTERISIMICS OF EXISTENCE IN THE INTER- MEDIATE STATE 5 > ae fe ee : THE JUDGEMENT THE ALL-DETERMINING INFLUENCE OF THOUGHT . THE DAWNING OF THE LIGHTS OF THE SIX ZOKAS. Pak 1! THE PROCESS OF REBIRTH 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 , THE CHOOSING OF THE WOMB-DOOR The Premonitory Visions of the Place of Rebirth The Protection against the Tormenting Furies . THE ALTERNATIVE CHOOSING: SUPERNORMAL BIRTH; OR WOMB-BIRTH . Supernormal Birth by Transference to a patie oe Womb-Birth: the Return to the Human World THE GENERAL CONCLUSION ESD 155 175 176 176 TY 178 180 18x 183 183 185 188 189 Igo 193 xvi CONTENTS THE APEEMiirs. I. THE INVOCATION OF THE BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS Il. ‘THE PATH OF GOOD WISHES FOR SAVING FROM THE DANGEROUS NARROW PASSAGE-WAY OF THE SAKRDO : , . ‘ Ill. “THE ROOT VERSES OF THE SIX 2ARnDCS: IV. ‘THE PATH OF GOOD WISHES WHICH PROTECT- ETH FROM FEAR IN THE BARDO’ V. THE COLOPHON ADDENDA
3I. THE INVOCATION OF THE BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS Il. ‘THE PATH OF GOOD WISHES FOR SAVING FROM THE DANGEROUS NARROW PASSAGE-WAY OF THE SAKRDO : , . ‘ Ill. “THE ROOT VERSES OF THE SIX 2ARnDCS: IV. ‘THE PATH OF GOOD WISHES WHICH PROTECT- ETH FROM FEAR IN THE BARDO’ V. THE COLOPHON ADDENDA I YOGA II. TANTRICISM HI. MANTRAS, OR WORDS OF POWER IV. THE GURU AND SHISHYA il ae" AND INITIATIONS : V. REALITY VI. NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN BUDDHISM AND CHRISTIANITY ee : VIL. THE MEDIEVAL CHRISTIAN "JUDGEMENT INDEX 197 202 205 Web vstkATIONS I. THE TRANSLATOR AND THE EDITOR . preceding Plate II From a photograph of the Translator and the Editor in Tibetan dress, taken in Gangtok, Sikkim, during the year 1919. II. FOLIOS 35a AND 672 OF THE BARDO THODOL MS. Frontispiece A photographic reproduction (about two-thirds of the original size). In the original the illuminations are in colour (now much faded) painted on the folios (cf. p. 68). The painting on the upper folio illustrates, with the colours, emblems, and orientation in strict accord with the traditions of Tibetan monastic art, the description in the text of the united mandalas, or divine conclaves, of the Peaceful Deities of the First to the Sixth Day of the Bardo that dawn thus in one complete conclave on the Sixth Day (cf. pp. 118-26). In the central circle (Centre) is the Dhyani Buddha Vairochana, embraced by his shakt:, or divine spouse, the Mother of Infinite Space. In the next circle, each likewise embraced by his shat, are the four Dhyani Buddhas, who, with Vairochana, constitute the mazdala of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. In the outermost circle are typical Bodhisattvas and other deities who accompany the Five Dhyani Buddhas (cf. pp. 118-20); and in the four small outer circles the four female Door-Keepers of the complete conclave (cf. p. 120). The painting on the lower folio similarly illustrates, in colours, emblems, and orientation, the united mandalas of the Wrathful Deities of the Eighth to the Fourteenth Day that dawn thus in one complete conclave on the Fourteenth Day (cf. pp. 143-6). In the cruciform design at the centre are the three-headed Herukas of the Buddha, Vajra, Ratna, Padma, and Karma Order, each with his shakti, that dawn, mandala by mandala, from the Eighth to the Twelfth Day (cf. pp. 136-41). The outer circle contains repre- sentations of the various animal-headed deities that dawn on the Thirteenth and the Fourteenth Day (cf. pp. 141-6). In the four small outer circles are the Four Yoginis of the Door (cf. pp. 145-6). The translation of the text on the two folios is indicated by special markings on pages I20 and 144. Il]. EFFIGY OF THE DEAD PERSON ee mae One a8 A reproduction (slightly reduced) of a copy of a Tibetan printed Chang-ku paper. 3069 ¢ xviii ILLUSTRATIONS IV. THE GREAT MANDALA OF THE PEACEFUL DEITIES facing p. 118
The source text as printed, transcribed diplomatically. Where the source language uses a non-Latin script that reaches us only through a Victorian romanisation, this layer is labelled transliteration, because that is what we hold.
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