The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Reading Aloud is famed playwright Jean-Claude van Itallie’s poetic adaptation of traditional Tibetan passages used to aid and comfort at the time of death. His lyrical and insightful poetry is accompanied by Gerry Vezzuso’s vivid photographs, Tibetan art, and other images evocative of this process. This text leads us through the stages we experience after death and helps us to overcome the ambitions, desires, jealousies, and fears that can obscure our understanding of ourselves and our transition into the next life.
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Editorial Reviews
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"I love this little book. Read it aloud!”
—Richard Gere
"Jean-Claude van Itallie’s presentation of this old classic brings us face to face with the radiance and emptiness of our own minds. He has made new a relevant—even urgent—text: a guide for the continually arising moments of choice in our living and in dying."
—Diane di Prima
—Richard Gere
"Jean-Claude van Itallie’s presentation of this old classic brings us face to face with the radiance and emptiness of our own minds. He has made new a relevant—even urgent—text: a guide for the continually arising moments of choice in our living and in dying."
—Diane di Prima
About the Author
Jean-Claude van Itallie, a student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche has been a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism for over thirty years. His play The Tibetan Book of the Dead premiered at La MaMa E.T.C. in New York City in 1983. Van Itallie has written over thirty plays, musicals, and translations including widely produced versions of Chekhov’s four major works. His prize-winning American Hurrah is considered the watershed political play of the sixties. He leads workshops in the healing power of theater around the country. He lives in Western Massachusetts, where he has transformed his farm into Shantigar Foundation, where artistic and spiritual practices meet.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Beautiful, Accessible, Deep and Poetic Book,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Reading Aloud (Paperback)
Jean-Claude van Itallie has done us all a wonderful service by adapting his rich and meaningful play into a lovely book that is a feast for the eyes, ears, and mind. This book makes a perfect, accessible introduction to one of the core teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Without being morbid, the text takes us on the journey of a soul facing death, and gives ageless advice on how to approach not only death, but also the little deaths we face in everyday life. The combination of poetic yet pragmatic text, with evocative photos and images, is achieved simply and elegantly. I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially to those learning about Buddhism or interested in Tibet, or to those who know of one who is facing death or loss. This book would be a treasured and memorable gift. Bravo to van Itallie for bringing these ageless teachings into the modern world with such elegance and spirit!
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Most Accessable Tibetan Book of the Dead,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Reading Aloud (Paperback)
I have been asked to be a part of a dear friends death vigil. This was the version that he wanted to use and it is the most beautiful and understandable rendition of this classic book I have ever read. The art is outstanding and the poetic structure is very moving. I have decided that this is the book I want read to me while I am transitioning.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unforgettable -- and lovely.,
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This review is from: The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Reading Aloud (Paperback)
What a comforting, accessible volume this is. It brings the formidable -- and possibly intimidating (though enlightening) -- bulk of the full _Tibetan Book of the Dead_ into a size and format that can work for those who choose not to go for the whole experience. It's especially valuable for those of us who will never be Buddhists, but who wish to understand and benefit from the universal spiritual truths we share. Buy this for someone you love, but read it first <VBG>, and then buy a copy for yourself. Some things (like "Oh, nobly born..." and "Everybody dies") will rest gently in your heart forever.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Oh you, Who have come to this place, Sisters and brothers, friends, This person is dying. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
glorious origin, hungry ghosts Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Nobly Born New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Oh you, Who have come to this place, Sisters and brothers, friends, This person is dying. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
glorious origin, hungry ghosts Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Nobly Born New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 4
books:
6
books
cite this book:
See all 6 books citing this book
- The Tibetan Book of the Dead (Shambala Pocket Classics) by Chogyam Trungpa on 6 pages
- The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Or the After-Death Experiences on the Bardo Plane, according to Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup's English Rendering by Karma-Glin-Pa in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
- The American Musical Theater by Lehman Engel in Front Matter
- The Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding in the Between by Padma Sambhava in Front Matter
- Playwrights in Rehearsal: The Seduction of Company (Theatre Arts (Routledge Hardcover)) by Susan Letzler Cole on page 185, and Back Matter
- Playwrights in Rehearsal: The Seduction of Company by Susan Letzler Cole on page 185, and Back Matter
- The Hidden History of the Tibetan Book of the Dead by Bryan J. Cuevas in Back Matter
- On the Integration of Nature: Post 9-11 Biopolitical Notes by Richard Grossinger on page 179
- Tenzin Gyatso: The Early Life of the Dalai Lama by Claude Levenson in Back Matter
See all 6 books citing this book
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