The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

OVER 3 MILLION COPIES SOLD • The international bestseller and spiritual masterpiece that presents ancient wisdom for modern healing—A sweeping, contemporary presentation of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings and innate wisdom "One of the international bestselling Buddhism books of all time." —Book Authority "This book is an extraordinary blessing: heartfelt, wise, practical, luminous – filled with inspiring stories, skillful teachings, and the great compassionate heart of the Buddha." —Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart "Sogyal Rinpoche...has delivered the Tibetan equivalent of The Divine Comedy. One could imagine that this is what Dante might have written had he been a Buddhist metaphysician rather than a Christian poet." —New York Times Book Review "Rinpoche's teachings have much to offer.... His down-to-earth tone, peppered with songs and poetry from Buddhist sages, takes away much of the intense fear of death and makes it seem like an old friend." — Los Angeles Times "A clear-eyed and contemporary exploration of the profound insight of The Tibetan Book of the Dead." —Stephen Levine, author of Turning Toward the Mystery "I have encountered no book on the interplay of life and death that is more comprehensive, practical and wise." —Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions Buddhist meditation master and international teacher Sogyal Rinpoche brings together the ancient wisdom of Tibet with modern research on death and dying and the nature of the universe to provide a magnificent source of sacred inspiration and a guide to the spiritual path from the heart of the Tibetan tradition. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying provides a lucid and inspiring introduction to the unparalleled wisdom of Buddhist beliefs, helping readers accessibly yet empathetically journey across: · The practice of meditation and living mindfully · The nature of mind and overcoming fear and trauma · Karma, rebirth, and reincarnation · Compassionate love and care for the dying · And the trials and rewards of the spiritual path and living with divine gratitude With unprecedented scope, this book clarifies the majestic vision of life and death and the truth of impermanence that underlies the classic sacred text The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Rinpoche presents simple yet powerful practices from the soul of this ancient tradition that anyone-regardless of their religion or background-can do to transform their lives, prepare for death, help the dying, and navigate grief and the bardo states with both grace and courage. An essential, timeless tool for spiritual growth and healing, radical self-discovery, and becoming your most mindful, compassionate, and complete self.

Sogyal Rinpoche was born in Tibet and raised by one of the most revered spiritual masters of this century, Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. With the Chinese occu-pation of Tibet, he went into exile with his master, who died in 1959 in Sikkim in the Himalayas. After university studies in Delhi and Cambridge, England, he acted as translator and aide to several leading Tibetan masters, and began teaching in the West in 1974. Rinpoche sees his life's task as transplanting the wisdom of the Buddha to the West by offering training in the vision set out in The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. This training can enable those who follow it to understand, embody, and integrate Buddhist teachings into their everyday lives. Rinpoche's reputation as an authority on the teachings associated with The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying and his dialogue with leading figures in the fields of psychology, science, and healing make him a sought-after speaker at international conferences and lectures. He travels extensively, teaching in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, and is the founder and spiritual director of Rigpa, a network of Buddhist centers and groups around the world.