Buy used: $6.69

FREE delivery December 26 - January 2. Details

Or fastest delivery December 19 - 21. Details

Arrives before Christmas

Select delivery location

Used: Good | Details

Sold by ThriftBooks-Seattle

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the authors

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying : A Spiritual Classic from One of the Foremost Interpreters of Tibetan Buddhism to the West Paperback – January 1, 2002

by Sogyal Rinpoche (Author)

4.7 3,075 ratings

See all formats and editions

There is a newer edition of this item:

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Sogyal Rinpoche (Rider 100)
$23.05
(3,075)
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

What is it I hope for from this book? To inspire a quiet revolution in the whole way we look at death and care for the dying and the whole way we look at life, and care for the living' Written by Buddhist meditation master and popular international speaker Soygal Rinpoche, this highly acclaimed book clarifies the majestic vision of life and death that underlies the Tibetan tradition. It includes not only a lucid, inspiring and complete introduction to the practice of meditation but also advice on how to care for the dying with love and compassion, and how to bring them help of a spiritual kind. But there is much more besides in this classic work, which was written to inspire all who read it to begin the journey to enlightenment and so become 'servants of peace' working in the world.

Length

464
Pages
Language

EN
English
Publisher

HarperSanFrancisco
Publication date

2002
January 1
Dimensions

5.0 x 1.3 x 7.8
inches
ISBN-10

0712615695
ISBN-13

978-0712615693
See all details

Graham Coleman
2,750
Paperback
in Tibetan Book of the Dead
107 offers from $7.96
Thich Nhat Hanh
6,902
Paperback
114 offers from $3.74
Chogyam Trungpa
415
Paperback
41 offers from $6.50
Padmasambhava
358
Hardcover
35 offers from $8.83
Pema Chodron
321
Paperback
62 offers from $14.82
Lama Lhanang Rinpoche
30
Paperback
51 offers from $4.01

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperSanFrancisco; Revised ed. edition (January 1, 2002)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0712615695
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0712615693
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.96 x 1.3 x 7.76 inches

Customer Reviews:
4.7 3,075 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

Important information

To report an issue with this product, click here.

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Rinpoche Sogyal
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more
See more on the author's page
Andrew Harvey
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
Andrew Harvey is an internationally acclaimed poet, novelist, translator, mystical scholar, and spiritual teacher. He is the Founder/Director of the Institute for Sacred Activism in Oak Park, Illinois, where he lives.
See more on the author's page
Patrick Gaffney
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
Patrick Gaffney has played a key role since the 1970's in bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West. Born in the UK, he serves as one of the main directors of Rigpa, the international network of Buddhist centers and groups founded by Sogyal Rinpoche. He is responsible for editing Rinpoche's teachings for publication, and co-edited the groundbreaking The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. He acts as an advisor for a number of Rigpa's major international projects.
Patrick has also edited two of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's books: Dzogchen: The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection, and Mind in Comfort and Ease: The Vision of Enlightenment in the Great Perfection.
See more on the author's page
Sogyal Rinpoche
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more
See more on the author's page

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

3,075 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

M. Walfred

A gentle guide on how to die with grace and peace no matter what religion

Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2011

Verified Purchase

Having a stone Buddha in your garden does not make one a Buddhist anymore than wearing orange or refusing to step on spiders does. Having been raised in a mainstream religion, certain aspects of other faiths and belief systems have nonetheless always been fascinating. I was academically introduced to Buddhist philosophy while taking a graduate course on death and dying, and while this book was not assigned, I found it when looking for additional resource material. This book is not to be confused with the more ancient Tibetan Book of the Dead, which I must confess was the book I thought I was buying. I am glad I made the mistake.

Besides chanting and displaying compassionate regard for all sentient beings, Buddhists primarily think and spend a lot of time preparing to die. Not in a morbid or neurotic way, mind you, but through meditation and calm preparation, they experience a rehearsal of the dying process and lose their fear of it. Dying becomes an integral part of living - an idea that most people choose to push back into their subconscious.

Sogyal Rinpoche offers an accessible narrative and is explicit that his goal is not to convert his readers to Buddhism. Instead his book, written explicitly for western readers, encourages us to consider the wisdom that others - mainly doctors, nurses, palliative and hospice care professionals have adopted and found so valuable inside the pages of this book: how to help people have peaceful deaths. Moreover, it is a life guide to building the confidence for those who feel helpless or scared around a dying person. Individual contact, quiet tenderness and preventing anxiety and panic and promoting laughter and positive thoughts are the greatest gifts we can give a dying person to help them die well. Whatever your belief system is or isn't, Sogyal's advice can be applied alongside any faith system. You don't have to believe in bardo, karma or reincarnation to see the common sense solutions he offers as a way to wipe away the terror of death. His lessons are unthreatening. He speaks to wisdom without borders of territory or tenet. This is a beautiful book in every sense of the word and a thoughtful gift and guide for anyone who is going through a difficult time will personal illness or facing the impending death of a loved one.

46 people found this helpful

Helpful

Meggowatt

Amazing help during a loved one's death

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2014

Verified Purchase

I credit this book with so much - I've gained a different and more beautiful perspective on life and death than I ever thought possible. When my close friend was dying of cancer, I had a year to read this and prepare for what was going to happen, and it sounds crazy, but by the time his passing came, I was ready. I had such a healthy, beautiful mindset about it that I could truly celebrate his life instead of feeling grief-stricken. It was amazing. What a gift.

I have loaned it to others when going through the death & dying process with their loved ones, and while some have described it as "intense" (which I did not feel it to be personally), they have ended up purchasing their own copies and passing it to their friends and loved ones as well.

A few recommendations:

- this book would likely not be helpful for those who are in denial about the death of a loved one or still feeling as though if they just fight harder or get more medicine their loved one could be saved. This book addresses death as a fact of life that we all must accept and understand, and thus those who aren't quite there yet, or who feel that death is a 'failure' of some kind (medicine, willpower, etc.), or haven't accepted it as an inevitable conclusion probably won't be in the right mindset to be able to use its guidance.

- It helps to be an open-minded person who can see the connections between faiths and belief systems - I imagine it wouldn't be as helpful for someone who devoutly follows one specific non-Buddhist dogma and believes all others are 100% wrong, since this links multiple faiths/beliefs/spirituality together (beautifully!). It is ultimately based in Buddhism (albeit a Western interpretation), so anyone who would automatically reject it based on its eastern roots would probably not benefit from it.

If you don't fit into either of the two above categories, it's amazing. I have friends who have read it even when not facing the death of a loved one, just to gain a healthier perspective on life. It's a beautiful book that contains beautiful words, no matter what you're facing in life.

52 people found this helpful

Helpful

Serena

A beautiful, life changing read

Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2014

Verified Purchase

I was told about this book by a dear friend who suggested that I read it to help me with the puzzle of helping another beloved friend who was, at that time, dying. I was baffled by her death and afraid that I would not have the ability or wisdom to support her through her death. I had told her that I would be with her every step of the way and yet I, as a Westerner, had no skills and at the crucial moment when she told me she was afraid, very few and seemingly weak words of comfort and that made me very sad and useless as a friend. To be in a trusted and caring position for someone who is dying is an honor and a privilege and I did not feel that I was up to the task. I felt ashamed even of this lack of preparedness. This beautiful, gentle and enthralling book gave me everything that I needed to be with my friend in a way that I felt was useful to both of us. Her death was quite beautiful and extraordinarily peaceful, surrounded by the sweet love of her parents, children and friends. I am transformed, as were many of our group by her passing. She was a spiritual force, a luminous dancing spirit and her release from her body and her physical suffering caused a profound change in many of us in her circle of friends. But this book has given me more than that wonderful experience. It has confirmed and verbalized feelings of the divine and sacred that until now, I had been unable to express. It has given me courage and a firm sense of commitment to the spiritual path that I am on and the happy knowledge that every small kind act,every decision to have compassion instead of separateness and cruelty is important, not just to me and those immediately close, but also the whole of humanity and this beautiful planet. Thank you Sogyal Rinpoche and God or whatever it may be :) Bless you!

12 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Kindle Customer

Brilliant book!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2023

Verified Purchase

This is essential reading for those wanting to understand Buddhist traditions about living and dying. As a relative beginner, there were parts that took a while to understand (this book took me a long time to read) but I'm so glad I carried on! I now feel much better equipped to help my loved ones who are approaching the end of life.

Stella72

Bellissimo

Reviewed in Italy on March 10, 2023

Verified Purchase

Spedizione rapida. L’unica cosa ho trovato il libro, seppur in buone condizioni, pieno di polvere e con uno strato nero sulla sovracopertina. L’ho pulito in 5 minuti. Magari un po’ più di attenzione non sarebbe guastata. a parte questo il libro era in buone condizioni. Contenuto: Bellissimo libro da leggere con calma. Premetto che non sono un’esperta di buddismo tibetano ma lo trovo molto bello per come è raccontato ed è anche una sorta di manuale pratico per la meditazione e come calmare la mente. Introduce al concetto dell’impermanenza e del lasciar andare. Secondo me è un libro assolutamente da leggere anche se si crede in qualcos’altro perché parla in maniera approfondita della vita e della morte.

Translate review to English

Guilan Huang

A nice book but with misleading information

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 9, 2015

Verified Purchase

This is a very good book, a lot of good instructions. Dying is a process as living, but much shorter. That is what we should understand. We can have a right attitude towards death. But the moment of death reflects what we have practiced in whole life. I think it is hard to guide one who has never had spiritual practice in one's life to get liberation at the moment of death no matter how good the spiritual practitioner is.

The misleading parts are the waling of the persecution of Buddhism in twenty century and advocating the education of the dying process.

The severe storm that Buddhism had been through in twenty century was not only the persecution in the long history of the Buddhism. As in my limited reading, I have known so many insurmountable obstacles that the true Buddhist masters had been through. Bodhidharma, the first Patriarch, who was from India to China to teach Buddhism, had been poisoned six times. Hui Ko, the second Patriarch was beheaded because he was teaching Buddhism. Hui Neng, the sixth Patriarch was hiding sixteen years because many people wanted to kill him. In later Tang Dynasty in China, the Buddhism was persecuted to such a large scale that many temples and their possessions were confiscated. Many monks and nans were forced to live as lay people because the emperor was a Taoist. But there was a school called Lin Chi was striving. The emperor asked why this school was not closed. The answer was that if the Emperor wanted to close this school, the Emperor must go there and close it himself. Of course the Emperor could not face this true master. The Lin Chi school was continually striving. It had produced many enlightened beings. What is true, meant to be cannot be destroyed. Master Lin Chi was a strong tree who withstood that wild storm and protected those who wanted to liberate themselves. The strong storm of twenty century had blown down and blown away so many light spiritual figures. But there is one very strong figure, Hsu Yun (Empty Cloud) who stood firmly in that storming era. Several times he was beaten to death. He never said anything bad to his persecutors. You can find this from his autobiography – Empty Cloud : Autobiography of the Chinese Zen Master Hsu Yun.

A true master never advocates his teaching. He waits patiently for people coming to him. This book advocates that the dying process should be taught in every school. These are not the words coming from a spiritual master. Each individual are quite different. Some had sown the Dharma seed many lives ago and they reap it this life. Some may sow the Dharma seed in this life and reap it in future life. Some may not sow at all in this life or next, they may sow it in the future life. Spiritual masters will not force anyone to sow and to reap. They are there to help if anyone needs. They are like ocean, at the lowest position, any stream can flow to them. Shakyamuni put himself in a beggar’s position, so that anyone could sow a Dharma seed with him; anyone can reap one’s Dharma fruit in his teaching. Never an advocating was coming from him.

9 people found this helpful

Annie Rose Abraham

Gift

Reviewed in India on August 8, 2023

Verified Purchase

Best gift ever

Shilpa Mittal

A must read

Reviewed in India on July 11, 2023

Verified Purchase

I was suggested this book by someone after my closest one passed away. It did help me allot to see the incident differently

See more reviews

Image Unavailable

Follow the authors