“When my life’s course is ended,
 And I roam alone in the intermediate states,
 The loved ones of this world can no longer help me.
 So [at this critical time], may the Conquerors, the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities, 
 [Quickly] release the power of their compassion,
 And may the deep darkness of my ignorance be dispelled.”

— from “Aspirational Prayer which Protects from Fear of the Intermediate States” (bar do’i smon lam ‘jigs skyobs ma)

Subject Guide Sections

  • Contemporary Scholarship
  • Media
  • Tibetan Sources

Contemporary Scholarship

Chödrön, Pema and Joseph Waxman. 2022. How We Live Is How We Die. Shambhala. JABL

Colin Murray Parkes, Pittu Laungani, and Bill Young, eds. 2015. Death and Bereavement Across Cultures. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. JABL

Deleo, Kirsten. 2019. Present through the End: A Caring Companion’s Guide for Accompanying the Dying. Shambhala. JABL

Herman, Judith Lewis Herman. Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. Basic Books. JABL

Lewis, C. S. (Clive Staple) 2001. A Grief Observed. HarperSanFrancisco. JABL

Longaker, Christine. 1998. Facing Death and Finding Hope. Main Street Books. JABL

Thubten Zopa. 2016. How to Enjoy Death: Preparing to Meet Life’s Final Challenge Without Fear. Wisdom Publications. JABL

Media

Chodron, Thubten. 2010. Teachings Given during the Death and Caring for the Dying Retreat at Sravasti Abbey in 2010. thubtenchodron.org

Doughty, Caitlin. “Why You Should Spend More Time with a Dead Body.” EndWell Project. endwellproject.org

Goldstein, Joseph. [n/d/] “Dependent Origination: The Twelve Links Explained.” Tricycle. tricycle.org

Hopkins, Jeffrey. 1995. “Jeffrey Hopkins Reconstructs His Mind.” Interview by Robina Courtin Mandala. May-June. fpmt.org/mandala

Ostaseski, Frank. 2019. “The Paradox of Vulnerability.” Conversation with Courtney E. Martin. EndWell Forum. YouTube

Tan Swee Eng, compiler. “Snapshot of Buddhism: Summaries of Teachings and Concepts: Dependent Origination (12-links of Dependent Arising).” Buddhist Studies: Buddha Dharma Education Association and BuddhaNet. buddhanet

Tenzin Gache. 2017. “Personalizing the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination.” Mandala. December 12. fpmt.org/mandala/

Tibetan Sources

Anyen Rinpoche, Eileen Permut Cahoon, and Allison Graboski. 2014. Dying with Confidence: A Tibetan Buddhist Guide to Preparing for Death. Wisdom Publications. JABL

Cuevas, Bryan J. 2003. The Hidden History of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Oxford University Press. JABL

Dbyangs-can-dgaʼ-baʼi-blo-gros and Lati Rinbochay. 1985. Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth in Tibetan Buddhism. Snow Lion. JABL

Jamyang Khyentse. 2020. Living Is Dying: How to Prepare for Death, Dying, and Beyond. Shambhala. JABL

Karma-gling-pa, Padma Sambhava, and Gyurme Dorje, trans. 2006. The Tibetan Book of the Dead (English Title): The Great Liberation by Hearing in the Intermediate States (Tibetan Title). Viking. JABL 

Nahm, Michael. 2011. “The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Its History and Controversial Aspects of its Contents.” Journal of Near-Death Studies. University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library. digital.library.unt.edu

Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama XIV, and Donald Lopez, trans. 1997. The Joy of Living and Dying in Peace. HarperSanFrancisco. JABL.

Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama XIV, and Francisco J. Varela. 1997. Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying: An Exploration of Consciousness with the Dalai Lama. Wisdom Publications. JABL.

Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama XIV, and Jeffrey Hopkins. 2002. Advice on Dying and Living a Better Life. Atria Books. JABL (commentary on text by the first Panchen Lama)

Thondup, Tulku, and Harold Talbott. 2005. Peaceful Death, Joyful Rebirth: A Tibetan Buddhist Guidebook. Shambhala. JABL