In the rich tapestry of Buddhist thought, few concepts are as fascinating and profound as the Bardos. These transitional states of consciousness map our journey not only through death but through every aspect of existence itself.
Understanding the Bardos
The term “bardo” encompasses six distinct states of awareness that beings experience throughout their existence. While most commonly associated with death and rebirth, three of these states are actually experienced during life: the waking state, the dream state, and meditative awareness. These teachings primarily come from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, though similar concepts exist in other Buddhist schools.
The Six Bardos
| Bardo Name | Period | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Kyenay | Birth/Life | From conception to final breath |
| Milam | Dream State | Experienced during sleep |
| Samten | Meditation | Deep meditative states |
| Chikhai | Moment of Death | Beginning of death process |
| Chönyi | True Nature | Period of luminosity |
| Sidpa | Becoming | Transition to rebirth |
The Death Process
The dissolution of consciousness begins before physical death, as the life force gradually withdraws through a series of distinct stages:
| Dissolution Stage | Physical Signs | Inner Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Earth into Water | Loss of physical strength | Sensation of being pulled down |
| Water into Fire | Dry mouth, intense thirst | Blue light, sound of gentle rain |
| Fire into Wind | Body and limbs become cold | Vision of smoky haze over vast plane |
| Wind into Consciousness | Labored breathing | Shimmering red sparks like fireflies |
| Consciousness into Mind | Moment of physical death | Clear awareness like cloudless sky |
The Three Death Bardos
The Bardo of Clear Light
In this first stage after death, consciousness experiences a moment of pure, non-dual awareness. The white elements (paternal essence) descend from the crown chakra while red elements (maternal essence) rise from the navel, meeting at the heart. This creates a brief window where enlightenment is possible for the prepared practitioner.
The Bardo of Semi-Darkness
Here, the consciousness experiences a dreamlike state filled with vivid appearances. The intermediate being (gandharva) – visible only to other such beings and those with divine sight – encounters various manifestations of their own mental karma. These experiences can range from peaceful to wrathful visions, appearing in a sky devoid of sun or moon.
The Bardo of Becoming
In this final stage, the consciousness is drawn toward its next rebirth. The being experiences intense sounds and visions, pulling them toward various realms of existence – whether heavenly, human, animal, or other states.
Practical Applications
Understanding the Bardos serves multiple purposes for practitioners:
- Provides a framework for understanding consciousness and its transitions
- Offers practical guidance for meditation and dream yoga
- Helps address existential concerns about death and rebirth
- Guides practitioners in preparing for death while living
Traditional Practice
Traditionally, a Tibetan Lama would read the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thödol) to both the dying and the recently deceased. This practice continues today, though adapted for contemporary circumstances. Some accomplished practitioners are said to develop the ability to navigate these states consciously, even assisting others through the death process.
Paths to Realization
The teachings outline three levels of potential achievement during the Bardo states:
- Advanced practitioners may achieve full enlightenment during the Clear Light Bardo
- Intermediate practitioners can direct themselves toward favorable rebirths
- Beginning practitioners can focus on devotional practices, particularly connecting with enlightened beings of the western pure lands
For modern practitioners, these teachings offer profound insights into consciousness and its transitions, while providing practical methods for engaging with life’s most fundamental questions. Whether taken as literal description or contemplative framework, the Bardo teachings remain a valuable tool for understanding the nature of mind and existence.
Further Reading
- The Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Liberation Through Hearing in the Bardo by Chogyam Trungpa
- Living, Dreaming, Dying: Wisdom of Tibetan Psychology by Rob Nairn
- Mind Beyond Death by Dzogchen Ponlop
- Wikipedia: Bardo
- YouTube: “Instructions for Dying and in the Bardo – Padmasambhava – Guru Rinpoche”)
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