The Tibetan Book of the Dead, or Bardo Thödol, functions as a spiritual map for the transition from life through death to rebirth. Its teachings prepare the dying person to meet the moment of death with clarity rather than confusion, emphasizing recognition of the “clear light” or luminous awareness that appears as the body and mind dissolve. By training in advance to recognize this clear light as the true nature of mind, the dying person is given the possibility of liberation from the cycle of rebirth at the very threshold of death. This recognition is supported by instructions to remain aware, to avoid fear and attachment, and to let go of clinging to the physical body and worldly concerns.

Beyond the moment of death itself, the text offers detailed guidance for the intermediate states, or bardos, that follow. It describes the unfolding visions of peaceful and wrathful deities and teaches that these appearances are manifestations or projections of one’s own mind. Understanding them in this way helps reduce fear and panic, preventing the consciousness from being driven blindly by habitual reactions. The text is traditionally read aloud to the dying or recently deceased, serving as a series of reminders that orient the consciousness stage by stage, pointing it either toward liberation or, failing that, toward a more favorable rebirth.

The teachings also address the practical and ethical dimensions of the transition. They encourage the cultivation of mindfulness, non-attachment, and wholesome intention, including refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and the aspiration to awaken for the benefit of all beings. Such states of mind are regarded as powerful conditions that shape the trajectory of the bardos, influencing whether liberation is possible or, if not, what kind of rebirth may follow. The text even offers indications for recognizing and choosing more auspicious rebirth opportunities, while avoiding those that would lead to greater suffering.

Taken together, these instructions aim to transform the experience of dying from a purely fearful and unconscious process into a path of insight. By familiarizing the mind with the stages of dissolution, the appearances in the bardos, and the ever-present possibility of recognizing the nature of mind, the teachings help the dying person maintain conscious awareness throughout the transition. Even when immediate liberation is not attained, this guidance is intended to ensure at least a more fortunate rebirth, grounded in clarity rather than confusion and in courage rather than fear.