The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

The Dalai Lama is the title of the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The current title is taken by the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso (born 1935). He is the most recognizable face of the tradition worldwide and plays a pivotal role in the global perception and dissemination of Tibetan spiritual teachings. His endorsement and Foreword to Rinpoche’s The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying elevated the book’s authority and reach. The 14th Dalai Lama has lived in political exile since 1959. He maintains his main residence in Dharamshala, India. The Dalai Lama’s message of compassion, peace, and the importance of understanding the nature of mind in the Foreword reinforce the themes explored in Rinpoche’s work. His advocacy for the Tibetan cause over the years, especially his endorsement of the Middle Way (a path of peace negotiation that would maintain the Chinese rule in Tibet while granting Tibet’s partial regional independence), and the preservation of Tibetan Buddhist culture lends a poignant backdrop to the teachings contained within the book, emphasizing the urgency of transmitting this ancient wisdom in a world facing profound existential questions. In 1989, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

In The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, the Dalai Lama’s influence is palpable not only through his direct contribution but also in the underlying principles that guide the book’s teachings. The Dalai Lama’s life work, promoting peace, non-violence, and interfaith dialogue, mirrors the book’s broader aim to offer solace, understanding, and practical guidance on life’s ultimate transition—death. His teachings on compassion and the nature of mind provide a foundational context for Rinpoche’s exploration of death and dying, situating it within a broader conversation about the purpose of life and the path to enlightenment.

The Buddha, whose name was Siddhartha Gautama, was born in the 5th or 6th century BCE in what is now Nepal. He is the foundational figure of Buddhism. His journey from a prince sheltered from suffering to an ascetic seeking the truth of human existence culminated in his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, where he grasped the nature of suffering, its causes, and the path to its cessation, thus attaining enlightenment (called “nirvana” in spiritual literature). The Buddha’s teachings form the core of Buddhism. His influences, once limited to Asia, have been received with overwhelming enthusiasm in the West. His teachings, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, are widely studied all over the world.

In The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Rinpoche presents a contemporary interpretation of Tibetan Buddhist wisdom rooted in the Buddha’s teachings. The significance of the Buddha in relation to Rinpoche’s book lies in his teachings on impermanence, the nature of mind, and the process of dying and rebirth, which are central themes in the book. Rinpoche draws upon the Buddha’s insights to explain the Tibetan understanding of death as a fundamental opportunity for spiritual awakening and liberation. The teachings of the Buddha are woven throughout the text through quotes, stories, and concepts, serving as a foundation for the practices and perspectives offered to help readers prepare for death and support others in their dying process.