Tibetan Book of the Dead: Leonard Cohen Narrates

Here, in 1994, the Canadian singer and novelist, Leonard Cohen, narrates a film on the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead, which is also known as the Bardo Thodoli, is “a guide for those who have died as they transition from their former life to a new destination.”

Religion Facts describes it a detailed overview of the stages of death. “It chronicles the experiences and religious opportunities a person encounters at various stages: while dying, at the moment of death, during the 49-day interval between death and rebirth, and at rebirth,” notes Religion Facts.”

An 8th century Indian Buddhist mystic, Padma-Sambhava, probably introduced Buddhism to Tibet and wrote the text that includes the Book of the Dead.

Open Culture posted the video with an excellent review of the the Book of the Dead.