M a g a l i Á v i l a
Bardos
"Bardo Thodol" translates to "Liberation Through Hearing in the Bardo." The term "bardo" refers to the intermediate state between death and rebirth, a concept central to Tibetan Buddhist cosmology. The text is meant to be read aloud to the deceased during this intermediate state to guide them through the various stages and help them attain enlightenment and avoid rebirth in lower realms.
The Bardo Thodol is divided into three main sections, each corresponding to a different stage in the after-death experience:
The Chikhai Bardo (The Bardo of the Moment of Death): This section describes the experiences and visions encountered at the moment of death. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the luminosity of one's own true nature.
The Chonyid Bardo (The Bardo of Experiencing Reality): In this stage, the soul encounters various deities, peaceful and wrathful, symbolic of both positive and negative aspects of the mind. The text instructs the deceased to recognize these manifestations as projections of their own mind and not to be frightened.
The Sidpa Bardo (The Bardo of Rebirth): This section deals with the process of rebirth and the journey of the soul into a new existence. It provides guidance on choosing a favorable rebirth and avoiding the pitfalls of attachment and desire.
