The Tibetan Book of
the Dead
(A Way of Life
/ The Great Liberation)
Death is real, it comes without warning and it cannot
be escaped. An ancient source of strength and guidance,
The Tibetan Book of the Dead remains an essential
teaching in the Buddhist cultures of the Himalayas.
Narrated by Leonard Cohen, this enlightening two-part
series explores the sacred text and boldly visualizes
the afterlife according to its profound wisdom. Part 1:
A Way of Life reveals the history of The Tibetan Book of
the Dead and examines its traditional use in northern
India, as well as its acceptance in Western hospices.
Shot over a four-month period, the film contains footage
of the rites and liturgies for a deceased Ladakhi elder
and includes an interview with the Dalai Lama, who
shares his views on the book's meaning and importance.
Part 2: The Great Liberation follows an old lama and his
novice monk as they guide a Himalayan villager into the
afterlife using readings from The Tibetan Book of the
Dead. The soul's 49-day journey towards rebirth is
envisioned through actual photography of rarely seen
Buddhist rituals, interwoven with groundbreaking
animation by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Ishu
Patel.
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