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What the Tibetan Book of the Dead teaches us about life

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Re: What the Tibetan Book of the Dead teaches us about life

#11

Post by ianai »

literallyaduck wrote: post #7

Having seen a post for Christianity, Islam, and now Tibetan Buddhism recently, I believe the first two were to show off Apis, but this one appears to have nothing technical to offer, so I must look within for the meaning to this post. From a scientific perspective I see no evidence of thought after death. To stand before judgment is a theme among Christians and apparently Buddhism. With Christianity the judgment is e…

I think we need a much deeper understanding of consciousness before I’m comfortable with scientific arguments ruling things out. Science is greatest when it’s humble about what it knows and doesn’t. (It’s through this humility that science leads to deeper understanding than doctrine.)

Relatedly, NDE stories can be incredibly compelling. YouTube of course has many at the ready. It’s definitely not rigorous nor science, but does seem like something could be there.

Re: What the Tibetan Book of the Dead teaches us about life

#12

Post by rixed »

ianai wrote: post #11
literallyaduck wrote: post #7

Having seen a post for Christianity, Islam, and now Tibetan Buddhism recently, I believe the first two were to show off Apis, but this one appears to have nothing technical to offer, so I must look within for the meaning to this post. From a scientific perspective I see no evidence of thought after death. To stand before judgment is a theme among Christians and apparently Buddhism. With Christianity the judgment is e…

I think we need a much deeper understanding of consciousness before I’m comfortable with scientific arguments ruling things out. Science is greatest when it’s humble about what it knows and doesn’t. (It’s through this humility that science leads to deeper understanding than doctrine.) Relatedly, NDE stories can be incredibly compelling. YouTube of course has many at the ready. It’s definitely not rigorous nor science…

> Science is greatest when it’s humble about what it knows and doesn’t.

I wish science could get some inspiration from religion on that matter !

/s

Re: What the Tibetan Book of the Dead teaches us about life

#13

Post by poulsbohemian »

literallyaduck wrote: post #7

Having seen a post for Christianity, Islam, and now Tibetan Buddhism recently, I believe the first two were to show off Apis, but this one appears to have nothing technical to offer, so I must look within for the meaning to this post. From a scientific perspective I see no evidence of thought after death. To stand before judgment is a theme among Christians and apparently Buddhism. With Christianity the judgment is e…

The answer is midway through the article "Sitting with my relatives and the lamas, I remembered that The Tibetan Book of the Dead is meant to be as much for the living as the dead. Bardo is generally viewed as the journey from death to rebirth, but birth to death is also a bardo."

Like many traditions surrounding death, it has nothing to do with the one who has passed but rather is a process for those still living to grieve and/or reflect upon their own lives.

So why is this on HN? Well, probably because it has generally been a place for intellectual curiosity of all types.

Re: What the Tibetan Book of the Dead teaches us about life

#14

Post by cratermoon »

poulsbohemian wrote: post #13
literallyaduck wrote: post #7

Having seen a post for Christianity, Islam, and now Tibetan Buddhism recently, I believe the first two were to show off Apis, but this one appears to have nothing technical to offer, so I must look within for the meaning to this post. From a scientific perspective I see no evidence of thought after death. To stand before judgment is a theme among Christians and apparently Buddhism. With Christianity the judgment is e…

The answer is midway through the article "Sitting with my relatives and the lamas, I remembered that The Tibetan Book of the Dead is meant to be as much for the living as the dead. Bardo is generally viewed as the journey from death to rebirth, but birth to death is also a bardo." Like many traditions surrounding death, it has nothing to do with the one who has passed but rather is a process for those still living to…

Yup. Bardo isn't just about the afterlife. See e.g. https://www.lionsroar.com/four-points-for-letting-go-bardo/

Re: What the Tibetan Book of the Dead teaches us about life

#16

Post by mping »

literallyaduck wrote: post #7

Having seen a post for Christianity, Islam, and now Tibetan Buddhism recently, I believe the first two were to show off Apis, but this one appears to have nothing technical to offer, so I must look within for the meaning to this post. From a scientific perspective I see no evidence of thought after death. To stand before judgment is a theme among Christians and apparently Buddhism. With Christianity the judgment is e…

In my opinion, science has no tools to verify life after death, regardless of what one believes. Besides, the onus of (dis)proving life after death is for the individual, not for the religious group. Most of them already have their systems set up.

My understanding is that Buddhism doesn't say that you "stand before judgment", but instead explain what is the process of life and death, cause and effect, that was observed through the eyes of superior individuals who cultivated and developed great concentration and wisdom.

Re: What the Tibetan Book of the Dead teaches us about life

#17

Post by LunaSea »

mping wrote: post #16
literallyaduck wrote: post #7

Having seen a post for Christianity, Islam, and now Tibetan Buddhism recently, I believe the first two were to show off Apis, but this one appears to have nothing technical to offer, so I must look within for the meaning to this post. From a scientific perspective I see no evidence of thought after death. To stand before judgment is a theme among Christians and apparently Buddhism. With Christianity the judgment is e…

In my opinion, science has no tools to verify life after death, regardless of what one believes. Besides, the onus of (dis)proving life after death is for the individual, not for the religious group. Most of them already have their systems set up. My understanding is that Buddhism doesn't say that you "stand before judgment", but instead explain what is the process of life and death, cause and effect, that was observ…

> that was observed through the eyes of superior individuals who cultivated and developed great concentration and wisdom.

If you believe that said individuals have said authority.

Re: What the Tibetan Book of the Dead teaches us about life

#18

Post by LunaSea »

ianai wrote: post #11
literallyaduck wrote: post #7

Having seen a post for Christianity, Islam, and now Tibetan Buddhism recently, I believe the first two were to show off Apis, but this one appears to have nothing technical to offer, so I must look within for the meaning to this post. From a scientific perspective I see no evidence of thought after death. To stand before judgment is a theme among Christians and apparently Buddhism. With Christianity the judgment is e…

I think we need a much deeper understanding of consciousness before I’m comfortable with scientific arguments ruling things out. Science is greatest when it’s humble about what it knows and doesn’t. (It’s through this humility that science leads to deeper understanding than doctrine.) Relatedly, NDE stories can be incredibly compelling. YouTube of course has many at the ready. It’s definitely not rigorous nor science…

> but does seem like something could be there.

Based on what? Magic thinking?

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