Death is real, it comes without warning and it cannot be escaped. An ancient source of strength and guidance, The Tibetan Book of the Dead remains an essential teaching in the Buddhist cultures of the Himalayas. Narrated b... more »y Leonard Cohen, this enlightening two-part series explores the sacred text and boldly visualizes the afterlife according to its profound wisdom. Part 1: A Way of Life reveals the history of The Tibetan Book of the Dead and examines its traditional use in northern India, as well as its acceptance in Western hospices. Shot over a four-month period, the film contains footage of the rites and liturgies for a deceased Ladakhi elder and includes an interview with the Dalai Lama, who shares his views on the book's meaning and importance. Part 2: The Great Liberation follows an old lama and his novice monk as they guide a Himalayan villager into the afterlife using readings from The Tibetan Book of the Dead. The soul's 49-day journey towards rebirth is envisioned through actual photography of rarely seen Buddhist rituals, interwoven with groundbreaking animation by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Ishu Patel.« less
Dr. Jan B. Newman | Clinton, Mt. United States | 04/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have had the videos of this for several years and have used them in some of the classes I have taught.These are cinematic masterpieces with great scenery from the Himalayas as well as carrying forth the honest heartfelt teachings of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. The narrative by Leonard Cohen is excellant. There are few movies or books that I can recommend more highly for both entertainment and personal growth."
Wonderful!
Miranda Alcott | New Mexico | 12/31/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This set is great for anyone who is intrested in the Tibetan perspcetive of life and death. If you are doing hospice work, this is a great video to share with your loved ones as they can watch it no matter where they are in their process! The cinematography is spectacular!"
The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Dummies
Cynthia Boshelle | Panama City Beach, FL USA | 10/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I originally saw this video in McLeod Gange, India in a funky little theatre downstairs from a curry restaurant. It so impressed me I ordered the DVD after returning to the US and shared it with interested people baffled by the Tibetan Book of the Dead. This video explains general concepts and applies them in a very concrete way to death in two Indian villages. The effect is both intimate and educational and translates itself more clearly to Westerners through the comparative use of these practices in a hospice program in San Francisco. For anybody interested in Tibetan Buddhism in particular or world religions in general, I highly recommend it!"
A great glimpse into Tibetan Buddhist beliefs.
William Sills | Smyrna, GA USA | 12/09/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD explores two different deaths occurring in Buddhist families: one death of an ancient man who had a rich, full life and one of a young, successful man struck down in the prime of his life. It gives a great account of how Buddhists deal with grief in these two different situations. It also interviews an ancient Buddhist monk about what he desires for the rest of his life, and an investigation of a young boy who might be the reincarnation of a great spiritual figure, and why people think the boy may be the man. The narration by Leonard Cohen is stunning: I couldn't imagine a more appropriate voice and style. The only reason it's not getting 5 stars is the relatively mediocre production values, but considering the remote location and the arduous environment, it's not surprising."
High Impact - well worth your time !
S. Patibanda | Fremont, CA United States | 03/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is high impact film! For those who are interested in what happens after death, this film is very informative. It ties in well with the teachings of the Buddhist way of life and shows why it is important to live a proper spiritual life. Leonard Cohen's English rendition of the Tibetan scripture is commendable. The visuals are engaging and in sync with the narration."