The Great Shitro Empowerment

The Tibetan Book of the Dead, known in Tibetan as the "Bardo Thodol," meaning "Liberation through Understanding in the Between," is a prominent spiritual and religious text in Tibetan Buddhism. Originally believed to be composed in the eighth century C.E. by the great master Padmasambhava, it was concealed for the salvation of future generations and rediscovered six centuries later by Karma Lingpa. 

The text offers detailed instructions for navigating the states of existence after death, known as bardo states, which are transitional phases between two mental states. Its teachings are rooted in the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) tradition and emphasize the fluid and impermanent nature of existence. The Bardo Thodol guides practitioners through meditation and self-awareness practices to achieve liberation from the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

This text includes teachings on a mandala of one hundred peaceful and wrathful deities and provides liturgical directives and esoteric yoga teachings. It advises on recognizing the true nature of reality during the last moments of life and the interim period between lives, aiming for enlightenment and liberation.

To close the year, Lama Sherab will offer the major empowerment of the Shitro Gongpa Rangdrol, the cycle where the Tibetan Book of the Dead is found. This is a major empowerment and it should be treasured as such. This will include a blessing of a personal Tagdrol.

This is a two day empowerment, so schedule accordingly.