Introduction

This CD features recordings of four Buddhist practices for the dying and deceased, in particular the practices of transference of consciousness, known as ‘powa’.

The first two practices are powerful methods for transferring the consciousness of those who have recently died to the Pure Land of a Buddha. The third practice, Heartfelt Prayers, is a simple funeral service designed for cremations and burials; this CD version includes just the chanted prayers, not any of the spoken words guided by the officiant.

The final practice, Pathway to the Pure Land, is a special method for training our own mind in powa, and can be performed without in any way shortening one’s lifespan.

Prayer booklets for all these practices are available from Tharpa Publications, and an extensive commentary to the practice of powa in general can be found in the book Living Meaningfully, Dying Joyfully by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, also available from Tharpa.