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BARDO: The Buddhist State of Transition
In a previous article about where the Soul went after the death of the physical body, one of the areas of belief was the Buddhist concept of the Bardo. In this article I want to explore the concept further.
Bardo is a term which most often refers to the intermediate state or transition that occurs between death and rebirth. The concept is deeply rooted in the Tibetan Book of the Dead, the Bardo Thodol, which is a text that is traditionally read to the deceased in order to guide them through the Bardo and ensure a successful rebirth.
However, whilst originally bardo referred only to the period between one life and the next, Buddhism expanded the whole concept to distinguish six states of a similar nature, covering the whole cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Its original meaning, the experience of being between death and rebirth, serves as the prototype of the bardo experience. However the six traditional bardos show how the essential qualities of that experience are also present in other transitional periods. More detailed information can be found at samyemandala.org.
The six bardos are as follows:
The Three Bardos of Life
Kyenay is the Bardo of This Life, the natural state of living. This spans from the moment of conception until the final breath. It encompasses all waking experiences and serves as the foundation for spiritual practice.
Milam is the Bardo of Dreaming. The dream state offers an opportunity to recognize the illusory nature of reality, allowing practitioners to train the mind in maintaining awareness even while asleep.
Samten is the Bardo of Meditation, the state of deep meditative absorption. Experienced either through formal practice or spontaneously, it is the state of resting the mind in the present moment with clarity and pure awareness.
The Three Bardos of Death
Chikhai is the Bardo of Dying, the moment of death. This begins when the internal and external physical elements dissolve and the mind transitions. The goal in this stage is to recognize the "Clear Light of Reality" to achieve immediate liberation.
Chonyid is the Bardo of Dharmata, the luminous state of absolute reality. Occurring immediately after death, this state involves powerful visions of peaceful and wrathful deities, which are ultimately recognized as projections of one’s own true nature.
Sidpa is the Bardo of Becoming, the journey toward a new rebirth. This intermediate state lasts until karma propels the consciousness into a new physical form.
For the rest of this article I will be mainly referring to the Bardo of Dying which& is a period of profound uncertainty and potential, where the consciousness of the deceased is untethered from the physical body and susceptible to powerful experiences. This intermediary state is not a fixed location but rather a state of mind, a landscape of consciousness where the karmic imprints of a lifetime manifest as vivid visions, sounds, and sensations. Navigating the Bardo requires recognizing these experiences for what they are – projections of the mind rather than external realities – and utilizing the wisdom and practices cultivated in life to guide towards a positive rebirth. The teachings of the Bardo offer a roadmap for conscious dying and rebirth, emphasizing the power of mindfulness and compassion even in the face of death's profound mysteries.
According to Tibetan Buddhist beliefs, when a person dies, their consciousness separates from their physical body and enters the Bardo. This state is characterized by a heightened sense of clarity and awareness, as the consciousness is no longer constrained by the limitations of the physical body. However, it is also a state of great uncertainty and confusion, as the consciousness must navigate an unfamiliar realm and make crucial decisions that will impact its future existence.
During the Bardo, the consciousness encounters a series of visions and experiences that are designed to test its attachment to the material world and help it let go of its earthly desires. These visions can take many forms, including deities, demons, and other symbolic figures. The consciousness must recognize these figures for what they are – mere projections of its own mind – and avoid becoming attached to them.
The goal of the Bardo is to achieve a state of complete detachment from the material world and prepare for rebirth in a new physical body. This requires great mindfulness, clarity, and courage, as the consciousness must navigate a realm that is largely unfamiliar and often frightening. However, with the right guidance and support, it is possible to navigate the Bardo successfully and achieve a positive rebirth.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the Bardo is seen as an opportunity for spiritual growth and transformation. It is a time when the consciousness is free from the distractions and limitations of the physical world and can focus on its inner nature and ultimate potential. By recognizing the true nature of reality and letting go of attachment, the consciousness can prepare for a new existence that is free from suffering and full of joy and fulfilment. During the Bardo the mind is believed to be highly susceptible to the influence of past actions and perceptions. Tibetans believe that through proper guidance during these states, the individual can break free from samsara, the cycle of rebirth and suffering, and achieve liberation.
The Bardo is not limited to the after-death experience; it also encompasses the transitional phases in life, such as the moment of birth, dreams, meditation, and even the period of dying before death actually occurs. Each Bardo presents its own distinctive signs and visions, which can be terrifying or blissful, depending on the individual's karma and spiritual preparedness. The teachings suggest that by recognizing these signs and understanding the nature of the Bardo, one can achieve liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering, known as samsara.
In the after-death Bardo, it is believed that the consciousness of the deceased encounters a series of peaceful and wrathful deities. These encounters are projections of the individual's own mind, reflecting their habitual patterns, fears, and desires. If the deceased can recognize these apparitions as manifestations of their own consciousness, they can transcend fear and attachment, leading to liberation. The guidance provided in the Bardot Thodol is intended to help the consciousness navigate these experiences, encouraging the recognition of the luminosity of the mind, which is the true nature of reality.
To navigate this threshold, the Bardo teachings act as a sophisticated roadmap for the dying, emphasizing that wisdom is not something gained after death, but something cultivated throughout one’s life. Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and the active generation of compassion serve as the "mental muscles" that the consciousness must flex when the veil of reality drops. By training the mind to remain present, centred, and detached from the turbulence of the senses, a person can transform death from a moment of helpless dissolution into an opportunity for liberation or a conscious, auspicious transition into a new life.
Ultimately, the Bardo serves as a mirror for the living. It reminds us that every moment of our existence is a "bardo" -- a fleeting, transitional gap between the past and the future. By embracing the impermanence of our current state and fostering a compassionate, clear-sighted mind today, we prepare ourselves to meet the mysteries of the transition with courage, grace, and the navigational tools necessary to steer our own destiny beyond the threshold of life and death.
Thus the Bardo is not simply a concept confined to esoteric Buddhist teachings; it can be understood as a metaphor for any significant transitional period in life. We experience Bardos of sorts when we graduate from school, lose loved ones, change careers, or face major life shifts. These moments of upheaval often feel disorienting and uncertain, much like the Bardo described in Tibetan Buddhism. During these transitions, we grapple with a sense of detachment from our familiar identities and surroundings, encountering a landscape of emotions and experiences that can feel overwhelming. Just as the Bardo teachings emphasize the importance of mindfulness in the face of death, we can apply the same wisdom to navigating life's many Bardos, recognizing their temporary nature and using them as opportunities for growth and transformation.
Understanding the Bardo can lead to a deeper appreciation for the fragility of life and the importance of living with intention. The teachings emphasize that our actions and intentions in this life profoundly influence our future rebirths. This awareness can fuel a sense of responsibility towards ourselves and others, encouraging us to cultivate compassion, wisdom, and a commitment to living a virtuous life. The Bardo, therefore, is not just a concept related to death but a powerful reminder that every moment is an opportunity to shape our destiny and cultivate the qualities that will guide us through life's inevitable transitions, both big and small.
The Bardo concept has also been adapted and interpreted within various modern spiritual and psychological frameworks. It has been likened to states of transition in psychotherapy, personal growth, and near-death experiences, offering insights into the human psyche and the process of transformation. In these contexts, the Bardo is seen as an opportunity for profound change and self-discovery, where individuals can confront and integrate aspects of their shadow selves, leading to greater wholeness and awareness.
In contemporary culture, the notion of Bardo has extended beyond its Buddhist origins, influencing art, literature, and film. It has become a metaphor for any in-between state or period of uncertainty and change, where the potential for growth and insight is heightened. Whether one is facing a personal crisis, a period of significant transition, or the actual process of dying, the teachings on Bardo offer a framework for understanding and navigating these challenging experiences with mindfulness and compassion.
Overall, the concept of Bardo invites individuals to engage with the impermanent nature of existence and to embrace the transformative power of transitional states. By approaching these in-between periods with awareness and understanding, one can find pathways to deeper spiritual realization and ultimately to the liberation that is the ultimate goal of Tibetan Buddhist practice.
While often associated with death, the Bardo can also be seen as a recurring state throughout life, manifesting in moments of intense transition or profound change. By understanding the Bardo, we can develop a deeper awareness of our own mental states and the potential for transformation that exists even in the face of challenging experiences.
The concept of the Bardo encourages us to cultivate a mindful approach to life, recognizing the impermanence of all things and the importance of living with intention. By developing a strong spiritual foundation through practices like meditation and compassion, we can better navigate the Bardos of life and death, ultimately paving the path towards liberation from the cycle of rebirth. It serves as a reminder that our present moment is profoundly connected to the past and future, and that our choices today can significantly impact our future incarnations.
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