Travels in the Netherworld
Book Description
Journey into the profound mysteries of death and rebirth through the extraordinary accounts of ordinary Tibetan people who claim to have crossed the threshold between life and death. Bryan J. Cuevas unveils a remarkable tradition of narrative literature centered on the delok, individuals from all walks of life who report dying, traversing the realms of hell, and returning with vivid tales of their otherworldly experiences.
These compelling stories, cherished by everyone from learned monastery scholars to humble villagers and nomads, offer profound insights into fundamental Buddhist teachings about impermanence, suffering, and the intricate workings of karma. Through detailed examination of four powerful accounts featuring a housewife, a lama, a young noblewoman, and a monk, this scholarly exploration reveals how these return-from-death narratives illuminate universal spiritual principles while addressing deeply human concerns about mortality and what lies beyond.
Drawing from an extensive range of traditional Tibetan sources including canonical scriptures, meditation manuals, and medical texts, the author presents a comprehensive view of Tibetan Buddhist perspectives on death and dying. The work explores fascinating beliefs about the soul's vulnerability, karmic consequences, demonic forces, and spectral phenomena, demonstrating how these extraordinary accounts bridge conventional religious and social boundaries.
This illuminating study offers fresh perspectives on how spiritual wisdom manifests in popular religious expression, revealing the rich complexity of lived Buddhist practice in Tibet.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 216 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Customs and practices
- ✓ Understand death from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Understand Buddhist philosophy and practice
- ✓ Explore Death
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Buddhism, china
- ✓ Study near-death experiences
- ✓ Explore Buddhism
