Chapter 48: Transforming Death into Buddhahood
* Important words are italicized and defined within the text.
I. Tibetan Book of the Dead describes the process of death and rebirth on the path to enlightenment
a. Death followed by Intermediate State (consciousness seeks the next stage of rebirth, followed by the next life), rebirth [ these are the three stages ]
i. Changed from path of samsara to path of Buddhahood.
1. Results in the Tantric traditions of Buddhism = School of Tibetan Buddhism ( origin of process of death)
II. The process of death according to tantric physiology.
b. Winds of energy move through the channels of a body
ii. Central Channel: runs from genitals up to crown of head, to between the eyes.
2. Cakras: points that have wheels that constrict the “winds” from entering the central channel.
a. 7 cakras: forehead, crown of head, throat, heart, navel, base of spine, sexual organs.
c. 4 elements of human body: earth, water, fire, wind begin to dissolve
iii. No longer support consciousness
3. The winds in the body descends through central channel = whiteness of downward semen ( form father)
4. Winds from lower body move up from lower part of the body in red (from mother).
5. The drops meet at center of heart cakra and created indestructible drop (consciousness = mind of clear light).
6. The mind of clear light dawns = death
b. Contemplate nature of reality: emptiness (truth of a Buddha)
c. Intermediate state to enjoyment body
d. Rebirth can be emanation body
d. Making the death transformation = extensive practice
iv. Various texts instruct how to go from intermediate state and rebirth into 3 bodies of Buddha)
v. Focuses on tantric Buddhas: i.e. sevenfold practice: prostrations, offerings, confessions of sins,...