Bardo Thödol, the Tibetan book of the dead
- Diletta De Santis
- Feb 14
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 6
A text that speaks to life through death.
There are books that are not just read; they are experienced.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead, or Bardo Thödol, is one of them. More than just a sacred text, it is a journey through the transition of the soul, a manual for those preparing to leave this existence and for those who remain, seeking to understand the mystery of death.
The first time I flipped through its pages, I was fascinated by its perspective, so distant from our Western concept of death, which is often seen as a definitive end or, at the very least, a final passage from here to beyond.
In this text, however, death is merely a transition—an intermediate state in which the soul faces trials, visions, illusions, and possibilities of liberation. It is not only a book for the dying but also for the living: it teaches us that every moment can be a bardo, a transition in which we can transform, and that our own lives are constantly born and die countless times while remaining in the same physical form we are accustomed to.
But where does this book come from? Who wrote it? And why is it so important in the Tibetan tradition? To understand this, we must immerse ourselves in the history and context in which it was born.
Origins and Historical Context: A Hidden Treasure Rediscovered Originally known as Bardo Thödol ("Liberation Through Hearing"), this text belongs to Vajrayana Buddhism, the tantric branch of Buddhism that spread in Tibet.It is said to have been written in the 8th century by the Indian mystic Padmasambhava, the legendary founder of Tibetan Buddhism.
But the history of this text carries an aura of mystery. According to Tibetan tradition, the Bardo Thödol is a terma, a "hidden treasure." In the centuries following its composition, it was sealed away to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands and was only rediscovered in the 14th century by the Tibetan master Karma Lingpa, who found it in a cave.
Terma are a unique concept in Tibetan Buddhism: they are secret teachings concealed until the moment humanity is ready to comprehend them. This makes the Bardo Thödol not just a sacred text but a revelation that continues to speak through the ages.
Traditionally, the book was read aloud to the dying by a lama or an experienced monk to guide them through the transition of death with awareness.But what does this text say happens after death?
The Three States of Bardo: A Map of the Tibetan Afterlife According to the Bardo Thödol, death is not a single moment where one ceases to exist, but a process. The post-mortem transition is not a simple wandering in the afterlife but a confrontation with the very nature of consciousness.The deceased undergoes a series of experiences that can be terrifying or liberating, depending on their awareness.
Specifically, the soul of the deceased passes through three intermediate states, known as bardo (which in Tibetan means "transition"). Each of these is a crucial phase in which the fate of the soul can change.
Bardo of Death (Chikhai Bardo)
Immediately after physical death, the soul experiences a great radiance known as the Primordial Clear Light. This is the moment when the deepest essence of the mind is revealed. If the soul "recognizes" this light and merges with it, it attains instant liberation. However, most people, confused and attached to their earthly life, fail to do so and move on to the next phase.
Bardo of Visions (Chönyi Bardo)
Here, the soul begins to perceive various apparitions—first peaceful deities, then wrathful ones. These images are considered projections of the mind itself, but if the deceased does not recognize them as such, they will be drawn into the cycle of rebirth.
Bardo of Rebirth (Sidpa Bardo)
If the soul has not attained liberation, it enters the bardo of rebirth, where it is drawn toward a new existence. The experiences in this state determine into which realm the soul will be reborn, influenced by the karma accumulated in past lives.
The peaceful and wrathful deities should not be understood in the Western sense of gods, but rather as visionary manifestations of the dying person's mind, representing enlightened consciousness and the mind clouded by illusions.
Peaceful deities: In the first days after death, 42 benevolent deities appear, surrounded by radiant lights and pure colors. They are manifestations of enlightenment and wisdom. If the soul "recognizes" and welcomes them, it can attain liberation.
Wrathful deities: After some time, the visions shift, and 58 wrathful deities appear, with monstrous appearances and terrifying expressions. They shout, wield weapons, and act as severe judges.If the deceased flees in fear instead of recognizing them as projections of their own mind, they lose another chance to escape the cycle of rebirth.
Ritual Practices Related to the Tibetan Book of the Dead The Bardo Thödol is not merely considered a philosophical or religious text but a practical manual used in Tibetan funeral rituals.
In monasteries across Tibet and the Himalayan regions, reading the Bardo Thödol is one of the most sacred practices. Some key elements of the ritual include the recitation of the text for 49 days: according to tradition, the journey through the bardos lasts up to 49 days. During this period, monks read the text daily, often accompanying it with mantras and sacred chants, aiming to reach the consciousness of the deceased to help them recognize the states they are experiencing and guide them toward liberation.
Offerings of incense, yak butter, and candles are also prepared to facilitate the soul’s transition.
A Cross-Cultural Concept: Guides for the Afterlife The Egyptian Book of the Dead, also known as the Book of Coming Forth by Day, is a collection of magical spells, prayers, and incantations designed to help the deceased overcome the trials of the afterlife and reach the realm of Osiris. Does this sound familiar?
Both texts describe a post-mortem journey filled with trials and encounters with divine beings, offering instructions to avoid undesirable reincarnation or damnation.
However, there are also profound differences. For example, the concept of judgment—which has deeply influenced all Abrahamic religions—is present only in the Egyptian text. There, the heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Maat, the goddess of truth, justice, and cosmic order.
If the heart was lighter than or equal to the feather—symbolizing purity and truth—the deceased was deemed worthy to enter the Field of Reeds (Iaru), a paradise of peace and abundance, much like life on Earth but without suffering.
If the heart was heavier, it meant the deceased had lived an unjust or sinful life. In this case, the heart was devoured by Ammit, a monstrous creature with the head of a crocodile, the body of a lion, and the hind legs of a hippopotamus. This act annihilated the soul, preventing it from reaching the afterlife and condemning it to eternal oblivion.
Unlike the infernal visions of some other religions, the Egyptians did not believe in eternal punishment after death—the worst fate was ceasing to exist.
It is essential not to confuse the Buddhist concept of karma with judgment. This is one of the great misunderstandings in translations and oversimplifications of complex ideas. The "force of karma" should be understood as the result of habits and conditions created, not as an external judgment or divine punishment.
The Influence of the Tibetan Book of the Dead on Psychology: Jung and Inner Transformation One of the Western scholars most influenced by the Bardo Thödol was Carl Gustav Jung, the founder of analytical psychology. Jung saw the book not just as a religious text but as a profound symbolic representation of the psyche’s journey.
Jung interpreted the journey through the bardos as a metaphor for the process of individuation—the path to self-realization. In his interpretation, the peaceful and wrathful deities represent aspects of our unconscious. The bardo of death mirrors ego-dissolution experiences often reported in mystical or psychedelic states.
The Clear Light of the Void represents integration with the Self, a state of total realization.
The Bardo Thödol and Near-Death Experiences (NDEs)
In recent decades, many scholars have noted a strong similarity between the Tibetan Book of the Dead and near-death experiences (NDEs) reported by people who have been close to death, including:
The Primordial Clear Light → Many report seeing an intense, enveloping light.
Encounters with spiritual beings → In NDEs, people often describe beings of light or religious figures.
A life review and understanding the consequences of past choices → Similar to the concept of karma and post-mortem evaluation in Tibetan Buddhism.
The return to life → Some describe a sense of choice or being pushed back, akin to the bardo of rebirth.
Several researchers have investigated the connection between NDEs and spiritual traditions, including Tibetan Buddhism. A particularly interesting study analyzes the relationship between Tibetan culture and near-death experiences by examining historical and contemporary cases of Délok (a term for people who have returned to life after a state of death): "Little Death: The Near-Death Experience and Tibetan Delogs."
Why the Tibetan Book of the Dead is Still Relevant Today Although written over a thousand years ago, the Bardo Thödol remains an extraordinarily relevant text.
It addresses the mystery of death, a universal and timeless theme, offering a perspective that encourages analysis, reduces fear, and promotes awareness.
It aligns with modern psychology, particularly Jung’s theories and research on near-death experiences, suggesting that the transition from life to death is not merely biological but also a profound psychological process.
It provides tools for personal transformation through meditation and reflection on the life-death cycle. In an era where Western society tends to remove or medicalize death, the Tibetan Book of the Dead invites us to view it differently—not as an end but as part of a greater process.
As mentioned in the introduction, this is a text that, before speaking to the dying, speaks to the living. It reminds us of the importance of awareness in the present, teaching that the mind creates its reality, both in life and in death (or at least in its process).
It encourages the overcoming of illusions and fears—just as the peaceful and wrathful visions described in the text can be seen as projections of our psyche. Recognizing and accepting them is a path to liberation, useful in daily life.
Finally, the book suggests that even in the face of the inevitable, there is always an opportunity for evolution and awakening.
In this sense, the text can be read not only as a guide to death but as a guide to self-knowledge, helping anyone interested in inner growth.
Reading the Tibetan Book of the Dead has been a profoundly transformative experience for me. Beyond its religious and symbolic value, I found it to be an extraordinary text because it teaches us how to face change—not just physical death but every transition in life—with greater clarity and acceptance (not passive, but active).
One of the aspects that struck me most is the description of bardos not only as post-mortem states but as transitional moments in our everyday existence. If we think of life as a series of cycles of death and rebirth—the end of a relationship, a career shift, a new life phase—then the book’s message becomes even more powerful: every ending is an opportunity to awaken to a new understanding.
For this reason, I recommend reading the Bardo Thödol not only to those interested in Tibetan spirituality but to anyone seeking a broader, deeper, and more conscious perspective on life and death.
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