The Tibetan Book of the Dead · 32 of 34

Appendix III: The Root Verses of the Six Bardos

[4]

O now, when the Bardo of the Moment of Death upon me is dawning! Abandoning attraction and craving, and weakness for all [worldly things], May I be undistracted in the space of the bright [enlightening] teachings, May I [be able to] transfuse myself into the heavenly space of the Unborn: The hour hath come to part with this body composed of flesh and blood; May I know the body to be impermanent and illusory.

[5]

O now, when the Bardo of the Reality upon me is dawning,

Abandoning all awe, fear, and terror of all [phenomena],

May I recognize whatever appeareth as being mine own thought-forms,

May I know them to be apparitions in the Intermediate State;

[It hath been said], 'There arriveth a time when the chief turning-point is reached;

Fear not the bands of the Peaceful and Wrathful, Who are thine own thought- forms'.

[6]

O now, when the Bardo of [taking] Rebirth upon me is dawning! One-pointedly holding fast to a single wish,

[May I be able to] continue the course of good deeds through repeated efforts;

May the womb-door be closed and the revulsion recollected:

The hour hath come when energy and pure love are needed;

[May I] cast off jealousy and meditate upon the Guru, the Father-Mother.

[7]

['O] procrastinating one, who thinketh not of the coming of death, Devoting thyself to the useless doings of this life, Improvident art thou in dissipating thy great opportunity;

Mistaken, indeed, will thy purpose be now if thou returnest empty-handed [from this

Since the Holy Dharma is known to be thy true need,

Wilt thou not devote [thyself] to the Holy Dharma even now?'

[Epilogue]

Thus say the Great Adepts in devotion.

If the chosen teaching of the guru be not borne in mind, Wilt thou not [O shishya] be acting even as a traitor to thyself? It is of great importance that these Root Words be known.