The Tibetan Buddhist Practice of Phowa:

How to Transfer Consciousness at the Time of Death

By Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche

By Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche

• Pages: 240

• Book Size: 6.00 x 9.00

• ISBN-13: 9798888504581

• Imprint: Inner Traditions

• On Sale Date: October 6, 2026

• Format: Paperback Book

• Illustrations: 48 b&w illustrations

A practical guide from the ancient tradition of Tibet for conscious dying and spiritual care Drawing from an unbroken Nyingma lineage, Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche present clear instructions for Phowa, the Tibetan practice of transferring consciousness at death. With teachings, visualizations, and mantras, they guide practitioners and caregivers in turning dying into a conscious passage toward awakening and liberation.

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• Teaches step-by-step methods for transforming the moment of death into an opportunity for awakening • Offers practical meditations, visualizations, and mantra practices to support the transference of consciousness • Accesses teachings from an unbroken lineage of Tibetan Buddhist masters to help you through life and beyond death The practice of Phowa provides the keys to transfer consciousness at the time of death. Drawing on an unbroken lineage of Tibetan Buddhist masters, the authors present clear, accessible instructions for the five principal types of Phowa, including Dzogchen and Longchen Nyingtik methods. They detail the philosophical foundations of Phowa, emphasizing the inseparability of body, speech, and mind, and the roles of karma and the bardos in shaping the journey through life and death. The authors offer guidance on visualization, mantra recitation, and subtle body techniques that support the conscious transition of mind at the end of life. They outline daily preparatory practices for the cultivation of devotion and Buddha mind and give practical advice for integrating Phowa into your regular meditation practice. They address the needs of caregivers and families, offering clear recommendations for compassionate support before, during, and after death. The authors explain how to create a supportive environment, recognize the signs of dying, and apply ritual and meditative practices to assist the dying and the deceased. This manual is a resource for individual practitioners and a guide for those supporting others during the final transition. The Tibetan Buddhist Practice of Phowa provides a clear path for transforming death into an opportunity for awakening and spiritual realization.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Editors’ Introduction on the Teachings of Death and Dying Preface Realizing Our True Nature The Who, Where, When, How, and What of Phowa Preliminaries for Phowa The Five Types of Phowa Practice at the Time of Death The Fifteen Points of Phowa Practice Commentary on the Sadhana of the Longchen Nyingtik Phowa Deepening Your Level of Understanding Sadhana of the Longchen Nyingtik Phowa: Buddhahood Without Meditation Dedication of Merit Daka Yeshe Do, Meditation on Absolute Wisdom: The Moment of Death Sutra Questions and Answers The Stages of the Bardo of Dying Glossary Index About the Authors Books and Publications by the Khenpo Rinpoches Padmasambhava Buddhist Center