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Luminous Emptiness: Understanding the Tibetan Book of the Dead Paperback – March 11, 2003

by Francesca Fremantle (Author)

26 customer reviews

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The Tibetan Book of the Dead, a best-seller for three decades, is one of the most widely read texts of Tibetan Buddhism. Over the years, it has been studied and cherished by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. Luminous Emptiness is a detailed guide to this classic work, elucidating its mysterious concepts, terms, and imagery. Fremantle relates the symbolic world of the Tibetan Book of the Dead to the experiences of everyday life, presenting the text not as a scripture for the dying, but as a guide for the living.

According to the Buddhist view, nothing is permanent or fixed. The entire world of our experience is constantly appearing and disappearing at every moment. Using vivid and dramatic imagery, the Tibetan Book of the Dead presents the notion that most of us are living in a dream that will continue from lifetime to lifetime until we truly awaken by becoming enlightened. Here, Fremantle, who worked closely with Chögyam Trungpa on the 1975 translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Shambhala), brings the expertise of a lifetime of study to rendering this intriguing classic more accessible and meaningful to the living.

Luminous Emptiness features in-depth explanations of:

   • The Tibetan Buddhist notions of death and rebirth
   • The meaning of the five energies and the five elements in Tibetan Buddhism
   • The mental and physical experience of dying, according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition

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Editorial Reviews

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"A deeply heartfelt guide to spiritual fulfillment through Buddhism, Luminous Emptiness provides interested seekers with a journey through the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and Fremantle is an expert guide."—Los Angeles Times

"A scholar in Sanskrit and Tibetan, Fremantle is more than qualified to write this guide; she collaborated with renowned meditation master and scholar Chögyam Trungpa on a well-received translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead in 1975. Nothing less than a careful explanation of the world and the ideas that surround that text, this new work is an excellent and plainly written manual to the complex mythologies, symbols, philosophies, and doctrines of Tibetan Buddhism. The West could hardly ask for a better primer. Highly recommended."—Library Journal

"In Luminous Emptiness, Francesca Fremantle provides a commentary on the Tibetan Book of the Dead that integrates its teachings with both the central topics of the Buddhist canon and with the ongoing experiences of our lives. Her illuminating exposition of the inner meanings and relevance of the text's tantric symbolism reflects many years of study, contemplation and practice. Luminous Emptiness is valuable in making the root text more meaningful and suggestive. It succeeds in enlivening our appreciation of the immense possibilities which we are offered now, moment to moment."—Shambhala Sun

"This is the most lucid and comprehensive exposition of the Tibetan Book of the Dead to appear in English. It illuminates the esoteric path and reveals the way to heal life's miseries—the projection of our minds."—Tulku Thondup, author of the Healing Power of Mind and Boundless Healing

From the Inside Flap

The "Tibetan Book of the Dead, a best-seller for three decades, is one of the most widely read texts of Tibetan Buddhism. Over the years, it has been studied and cherished by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. "Luminous Emptiness is a detailed guide to this classic work, elucidating its mysterious concepts, terms, and imagery. Fremantle relates the symbolic world of the "Tibetan Book of the Dead to the experiences of everyday life, presenting the text not as a scripture for the dying, but as a guide for the living.
According to the Buddhist view, nothing is permanent or fixed. The entire world of our experience is constantly appearing and disappearing at every moment. Using vivid and dramatic imagery, the "Tibetan Book of the Dead presents the notion that most of us are living in a dream that will continue from lifetime to lifetime until we truly awaken by becoming enlightened. Here, Fremantle, who worked closely with Chogyam Trungpa on the 1975 translation of the "Tibetan Book of the Dead (Shambhala), brings the expertise of a lifetime of study to rendering this intriguing classic more accessible and meaningful to the living.
"Luminous Emptiness features in-depth explanations of:
-The Tibetan Buddhist notions of death and rebirth
-The meaning of the five energies and the five elements in Tibetan Buddhism
-The mental and physical experience of dying, according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition

See all Editorial Reviews

Product details

Paperback: 428 pages
Publisher: Shambhala (March 11, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1570629250
ISBN-13: 978-1570629259
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 26 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #579,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #25 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions & Sacred Texts > Tibetan Book of the Dead
- #707 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Rituals & Practice
- #774 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Tibetan

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whitewater

Alternative thoughts about Death

July 12, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Buddhism is a simple set of facts and principles that, can or cannot be complicated. For those of use who grew up with western "religion" and later in life decided to follow this "spiritual practice", understanding it is a big change. For ME the hardest part is the terminology. Mr. Fremantle in my opinion has done a wonderful job helping me to get a better understanding of this complex spiritual practice.
However that being said, I got this book in December of 2015 and it took me a year to read it. Partially because I couldn't just sit and read it for a long time, and partially because of the language. That year spent reading does not mean I got it all committed to memory. But, I do have a better understanding of what some Buddhist expect after their last exhale.
Disclaimer. I don't believe in any Gods, and fully expect that my last exhale will be my last thoughts, and that the best I can hope for is to become recycled stardust.
The principles and practice, to any degree of the Buddhist faith, help me now, while I'm breathing.

Charles

One person found this helpful

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Jeff Collins

The whole "architecture" of this book is truly wonderful. Its ultimate goal is to articulate the tantric ...

July 14, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The whole "architecture" of this book is truly wonderful. Its ultimate goal is to articulate the tantric Buddhist perspective in general, and its view of the profound challenges and possibilities that a human being's presence encounters on its journey in the bardo between death and rebirth, in particular. This is beautifully done, but Professor Freemantle has also taken the time to give a context to this esoteric material by writing a very thorough and effective description of a wide range of basic Buddhist perspectives on the nature of consciousness, the arising of ignorance, and the possibilities of practice and awakening. I would say that this introductory material (which is about half of the book) by itself makes reading and studying the book worthwhile, no matter how you relate to the more esoteric parts of it. I've gone back to this book a number of times over the years, and I am deeply grateful for its grounding in the basics and then its opening into more esoteric dimensions.

3 people found this helpful

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Easier Reading than Tibetan Book of the Dead

May 7, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I am not a Buddhist. I wanted to learn about Tibetan Buddhism, but the Tibetan Book of the Dead was impossible! This is comprehensive, but explained very well - in layman's terms. Exactly what I wanted. I would agree with another reviewer who says there is so much information it can lead to overload, but I am working through it slowly.

5 people found this helpful

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Carol Verde

Five Stars

January 25, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book will really allow one "in", but there is no substitute for a qualified teacher.

2 people found this helpful

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Josh

An exceptionally well-written book.

August 12, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book is excellent. The first 2/3 provides an in-depth knowledge of Buddhism necessary to understand the last 1/3 that explains the Tibetan Book of the Dead wonderfully. It was an engaging read - albeit challenging at some points for myself, as I am new to Buddhism. I highly recommend purchasing this book.

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trailbreakr

This is excellent, vast teaching

May 7, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is excellent, vast teaching, i will always need to be reading and practicing
it's messages. I am fortunate to have stumbled across it. Ms. Fremantle
wrote a paper about the Guhyasamaja Tantra, that i look forward to,
as well.

One person found this helpful

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Fuzzmello

Excellent survey of the Varjrayana.

February 2, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Ms Freemantle gives a very thorough yet uncomplicated overview of Buddhist principles in general and some nice insights on the Varjrayana. This is much more than commentary on Liberation Through Hearing. Just lovely.

One person found this helpful

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Susan Cooley

Four Stars

January 4, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Complicated read

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Most recent customer reviews

Vaschelle

Grateful!

It was perfect!

Published 11 months ago

Read it at the library and had to have it for my self.

Published 1 year ago

Laurance

A Disappointment

Unless you already have an in-depth knowledge of Buddhism, most readers probably will have difficulty absorbing the material presented in Fremantle’s “Luminous Emptiness:...Read more

Published on May 31, 2016

Lee H. Thompson

Five Stars

Great job of explaining all the terms and the details,,,, Amazing!

Published on April 22, 2016

Leon Lewis

Beautiful, Luminous, Writing

The author creates fresh and accessible avenues to explaining fundamental Buddhist concepts. I love this book.

Published on March 7, 2016

If you want to understand bardo from an Accomplished practitioner ...

If you want to understand bardo from an Accomplished practitioner and feel confidence in the instructions given......Luminous emptiness is definately the book for you!

Published on November 25, 2015

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