Alex Wilding

There is a prayer that is commonly sung on such occasions, and quite a number of Western Tibetan-style Buddhists do know it because of the way it comes in two slightly different versions. It's known as the prayer for rebirth in Deva-chen, Deva-chen being the name of a pure land overseen by Amitabha, who is the Buddha of infinite light.

There is a prayer that is commonly sung on such occasions, and quite a number of Western Tibetan-style Buddhists do know it because of the way it comes in two slightly different versions. It's known as the prayer for rebirth in Deva-chen, Deva-chen being the name of a pure land overseen by Amitabha, who is the Buddha of infinite light.

In one version of this prayer, there are two syllables whose grammar makes the prayer refer to ourselves, singular or plural, or indeed to all sentient beings in general. And this is the version that's quite often sung without reference to any particular death, simply in recognition of the fact that we all will die.

In one version of this prayer, there are two syllables whose grammar makes the prayer refer to ourselves, singular or plural, or indeed to all sentient beings in general. And this is the version that's quite often sung without reference to any particular death, simply in recognition of the fact that we all will die.

In the other version, the two syllables are changed, and that makes it refer to this particular person, he or she, who has just died. You may have suffered the sound of my chanting in one or two other episodes, so I will not be shy about singing it here now. I'm also going to include a PDF of the text in the episode notes, or you can download a version from this link. I'll read it carefully.

In the other version, the two syllables are changed, and that makes it refer to this particular person, he or she, who has just died. You may have suffered the sound of my chanting in one or two other episodes, so I will not be shy about singing it here now. I'm also going to include a PDF of the text in the episode notes, or you can download a version from this link. I'll read it carefully.

www.tibetanlanguage.com Needless to say, there are no spaces in anything that I've just read. And Dewachen is D-E-W-A-C-H-E-N.

www.tibetanlanguage.com Needless to say, there are no spaces in anything that I've just read. And Dewachen is D-E-W-A-C-H-E-N.

The text shown there is the general purpose version, and if you want to use it for a specific person in your circle who's recently died, you can replace the first two syllables on the first line of the second page, that is, dagjen, meaning something like self and others, with semde, meaning something like this being.

The text shown there is the general purpose version, and if you want to use it for a specific person in your circle who's recently died, you can replace the first two syllables on the first line of the second page, that is, dagjen, meaning something like self and others, with semde, meaning something like this being.

If you know it well enough, you can recite it silently, as I did at yesterday's funeral, to lend your own best wishes without offending anybody by showing off the fact that you are not a Christian. Chanting This general purpose version was regularly sung at teachings I used to attend some years ago.

If you know it well enough, you can recite it silently, as I did at yesterday's funeral, to lend your own best wishes without offending anybody by showing off the fact that you are not a Christian. Chanting This general purpose version was regularly sung at teachings I used to attend some years ago.

The technique there was that it was sung three times, and after the third time there was then a pause, a very silent, profound pause. Finally, the chant leader would shout a very loud, sharp, which everybody would attempt to shout at the same time.

The technique there was that it was sung three times, and after the third time there was then a pause, a very silent, profound pause. Finally, the chant leader would shout a very loud, sharp, which everybody would attempt to shout at the same time.

It would be impossible to touch on this subject without saying a few words about the book, which has now become famous, known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Once again, this is something that has been hijacked by New Age wannabes.

It would be impossible to touch on this subject without saying a few words about the book, which has now become famous, known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Once again, this is something that has been hijacked by New Age wannabes.

But people who are serious about their Buddhism should know that it is a highly specialized text of most interest to long-term practitioners of one or two particular traditions. It was not particularly widespread in Tibet. Its real name means something like liberation through hearing in the intermediate state. But commercialization and marketing go back a long way.

But people who are serious about their Buddhism should know that it is a highly specialized text of most interest to long-term practitioners of one or two particular traditions. It was not particularly widespread in Tibet. Its real name means something like liberation through hearing in the intermediate state. But commercialization and marketing go back a long way.

In the late 19th century, Egypt was an object of fascination in Western society. Decoration based on Egyptian originals was not uncommon and is often still to be seen. As witness, for example, Cleopatra's needle on the embankment in London and the various sphinx-like statuary that can be found around the city itself.

In the late 19th century, Egypt was an object of fascination in Western society. Decoration based on Egyptian originals was not uncommon and is often still to be seen. As witness, for example, Cleopatra's needle on the embankment in London and the various sphinx-like statuary that can be found around the city itself.