“Death is real, it is unannounced and can not be escaped. An ancient source of strength and guidance, The Tibetan Book of the Dead remains an essential teaching of the Himalayan Buddhist culture. Narrated by Leonard Cohen, this enlightening two-part series explores the sacred text and boldly visualizes the afterlife according to its profound wisdom.
Part 1: A Way of Life reveals the history of The Tibetan Book of the Dead and examines its traditional use in northern India, and its acceptance in Western hospices. Shot over a period of four months, the film contains images of rites and liturgies for a deceased Ladakhi elder and includes an interview with the Dalai Lama, who shares his views on the book’s meaning and importance.
Part 2: The Great Liberation follows an old lama and his novice monk to guide a Himalayan farmer in the afterlife with readings from The Tibetan Book of the Dead. The soul is 49 days journey to rebirth provided by the actual photograph rarely seen Buddhist rituals, interwoven with groundbreaking animation by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Ishu Patel.”
