The Tibetan Book of the Dead

First Complete Translation

By: Dalai Lama, Graham Coleman - editor, Thupten Jinpa - editor, Gyurme Dorje - translator

Narrated by: Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche, Graham Coleman, Thupten Jinpa

One of the greatest works created by any culture and overwhelmingly the most significant of all Tibetan Buddhist texts in the West, The Tibetan Book of the Dead has had a number of distinguished translations, but none encompassed the work in its entirety. Now, in one of the year's most important publishing events, the entire text has not only been made available in English but in a translation of quite remarkable clarity and beauty. With an introductory commentary by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, who calls this translation "an extraordinary accomplishment undertaken with great care over many years" this complete edition faithfully presents the insights and intentions of the original work. It includes one of the most detailed and compelling descriptions of the after-death state in world literature, exquisitely written practices that can transform our experience of daily life, guidance on helping those who are dying, and an inspirational perspective on coping with bereavement. Translated with the close support of leading contemporary masters, including HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and learned scholars such as Khamtrul Rinpoche and Zenkar Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama says, "I hope that the profound insights contained in this work will be a source of inspiration and support to many interested people around the world."


* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF with appendices and a glossary of key terms.

Critic reviews

"This new translation of The Tibetan Book of the Dead is a tremendous accomplishment. The whole text is a vast source of inspiration." —Francesca Fremantle, Buddhadharma magazine

"The most celebrated and widely read work of Tibetan literature outside Tibet . . . now in its finest and most complete form in this excellent English translation." —Bryan J. Cuevas, Tricycle

"Profound and unique, it is one of the great treasures of wisdom in the spiritual heritage of humanity." —Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

One of the great scripts of world civilization . . . a voyage inside the profound imagination of a people, immaculately rendered in an English both graceful and precise. —Time Out (London)

Magnificent . . . beautiful verse meditations. —The Guardian (London)

I hope that the profound insights contained in this work will be a source of inspiration and support to many interested people around the world. —His Holiness The Dalai Lama

A Very Important Book

This book is special for its thorough presentation of the essence of Ati Yoga Vajrayana Buddhism. With this book you can take refuge, receive pointing out instructions, listen to death instructions and practice the ultimate mantrayana. It is a book for both death and life and for all who find themselves in samsara or who yearn for transformation. I am so thankful for its release to the public and pray for its survival as part of the great new world canon.

Great Content; Poor Listenability

This is an important, classic text and this translation is said to be authoritative. But as a native (American) English speaker, I am sorry to say the narrator is difficult to understand.

A metaphorical masterpiece.

I have been studying Buddhism for 7 years on my own. With so many good audio books now available, I have been able to gather the needed understanding to finally attempt this guide. There is much to contemplate. This is a valuable tool on the Path. Om Mani Padme Hum...

2nd time reading and enjoyed this version the best!

Visually spectacular and helpful for my future transition. Helpful study on the graceful journey for all of us ✌️❤️

Great Info

However...for the love of...narrator needs to be someone who speaks English CLEARLY. Very frustrating on that sole point