How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
- Thomas Amundsen
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How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
Hi,
I was recently referred to the book "Peaceful Death, Joyful Rebirth" by a local Nyingma center. They mainly referred me to use the guided meditations as an introduction to Tibetan methods, but that's not really important in the context of this post.
My question is, what can we do to help the dead animals we encounter in our daily life navigate the bardo to a pure land? In the book, Tulku Thondup describes "Buddhist Rituals for Non-Buddhists" and "Universal Meditation for All" where you do a meditation visualizing receiving blessing lights and transferring them to the dying person in the bardo. However, this is clearly written for humans who have died. Usually ones that we are close friends or family with.
Is there any practice to guide those dead animals we encounter? I usually just say "om mani padme hung" a few times. But perhaps there is something more effective? Obviously, doing a whole meditation is not really feasible for dead animals outside, but could work for pests and insects in the home...
Thanks!
Tom
I was recently referred to the book "Peaceful Death, Joyful Rebirth" by a local Nyingma center. They mainly referred me to use the guided meditations as an introduction to Tibetan methods, but that's not really important in the context of this post.
My question is, what can we do to help the dead animals we encounter in our daily life navigate the bardo to a pure land? In the book, Tulku Thondup describes "Buddhist Rituals for Non-Buddhists" and "Universal Meditation for All" where you do a meditation visualizing receiving blessing lights and transferring them to the dying person in the bardo. However, this is clearly written for humans who have died. Usually ones that we are close friends or family with.
Is there any practice to guide those dead animals we encounter? I usually just say "om mani padme hung" a few times. But perhaps there is something more effective? Obviously, doing a whole meditation is not really feasible for dead animals outside, but could work for pests and insects in the home...
Thanks!
Tom
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Re: How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
I don't see why you can't use Tulku Thondup's meditation for animals too. . .
In addition to mani mantra, you could also do Amitabha's mantra - Om Ami Dewa Hri - to help transfer animals to pure land.
Here's a very concise Amitabha practice with explanation:
http://www.palyulproductions.org/Amitab ... actice.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
In addition to mani mantra, you could also do Amitabha's mantra - Om Ami Dewa Hri - to help transfer animals to pure land.
Here's a very concise Amitabha practice with explanation:
http://www.palyulproductions.org/Amitab ... actice.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Madeliaette
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Re: How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
I don't have an official answer - but personally, if i encounter a dead animal or bird, I will visualize picking it up and placing it bowed in front of the Buddha, then circling it three times before bowing back. (I read the story of the fly getting into the heavenly realms by accidentally circling a stupa x3, so figured it might help...)
- Thomas Amundsen
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Re: How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
Ah, yea, I just wasn't sure...dakini_boi wrote:I don't see why you can't use Tulku Thondup's meditation for animals too. . .
Cool. Yes, this is in fact the meditation taught by Tulku Thondup that I was referred to the book for.dakini_boi wrote: In addition to mani mantra, you could also do Amitabha's mantra - Om Ami Dewa Hri - to help transfer animals to pure land.
Here's a very concise Amitabha practice with explanation:
http://www.palyulproductions.org/Amitab ... actice.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Tom
Re: How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
tomamundsen wrote: Cool. Yes, this is in fact the meditation taught by Tulku Thondup that I was referred to the book for.
- Tom
You can do Shitro.
Re: How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
I think the animal has to be "pretty close to human"
to spend time in the bardos. I think they must
experience it, but without sufficient understanding...
But Tara prayers are good. Reciting certain Suttras too...
Lama Zopa answers these questions quite a lot-- many
ideas on the fpmt website. I guess, do whatever you can.
to spend time in the bardos. I think they must
experience it, but without sufficient understanding...
But Tara prayers are good. Reciting certain Suttras too...
Lama Zopa answers these questions quite a lot-- many
ideas on the fpmt website. I guess, do whatever you can.
- Thomas Amundsen
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Re: How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
Thank you, Namdrol. Could you suggest any sources for this practice?Namdrol wrote:tomamundsen wrote: Cool. Yes, this is in fact the meditation taught by Tulku Thondup that I was referred to the book for.
- Tom
You can do Shitro.
Thanks,
Tom
- LastLegend
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Re: How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
Namo Amitabha is all you need to say...and the longer you can say with a pure mind, the better. Then you can say that you would like to offer them this cultivation of merits and wish that they will be reborn in Pure Land.tomamundsen wrote:Hi,
I was recently referred to the book "Peaceful Death, Joyful Rebirth" by a local Nyingma center. They mainly referred me to use the guided meditations as an introduction to Tibetan methods, but that's not really important in the context of this post.
My question is, what can we do to help the dead animals we encounter in our daily life navigate the bardo to a pure land? In the book, Tulku Thondup describes "Buddhist Rituals for Non-Buddhists" and "Universal Meditation for All" where you do a meditation visualizing receiving blessing lights and transferring them to the dying person in the bardo. However, this is clearly written for humans who have died. Usually ones that we are close friends or family with.
Is there any practice to guide those dead animals we encounter? I usually just say "om mani padme hung" a few times. But perhaps there is something more effective? Obviously, doing a whole meditation is not really feasible for dead animals outside, but could work for pests and insects in the home...
Thanks!
Tom
It’s eye blinking.
Re: How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
You can try to receive the transmission for the short Shitro of Norbu Rinpoche. Then you can get the text. Learn the melodies, etc. It is very easy to do.tomamundsen wrote:Thank you, Namdrol. Could you suggest any sources for this practice?Namdrol wrote:tomamundsen wrote: Cool. Yes, this is in fact the meditation taught by Tulku Thondup that I was referred to the book for.
- Tom
You can do Shitro.
Thanks,
Tom
- Thomas Amundsen
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- Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:50 am
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Re: How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
Oh,Namdrol wrote:You can try to receive the transmission for the short Shitro of Norbu Rinpoche. Then you can get the text. Learn the melodies, etc. It is very easy to do.
Re: How can we help dead animals in the bardo?
You should tune in to the webcast tomorrow. Rinpoche often gives a lot of lung transmissions at the end of retreats.tomamundsen wrote:Oh,Namdrol wrote:You can try to receive the transmission for the short Shitro of Norbu Rinpoche. Then you can get the text. Learn the melodies, etc. It is very easy to do.
Might be a good opportunity to get it.
"All phenomena of samsara depend on the mind, so when the essence of mind is purified, samsara is purified. Since the phenomena of nirvana depend on the pristine consciousness of vidyā, because one remains in the immediacy of vidyā, buddhahood arises on its own. All critical points are summarized with those two." - Longchenpa