Phowa

This is the fifth entry from my fieldwork diary. The original date is 25.05.2010.

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PHOWA - transference of consciousness at the time of death. The method can be applied at the moment of death to transfer one's consciousness through the top of the head directly into a Buddha-field of one's choice. By so doing, one bypasses some of the typical experiences that are said to occur after death.
This is the best and deepest practice in Buddhism.

*Phowa is one of the Six Yogas of Naropa. It is said to be the quickest, most direct way to be liberated from samsaric suffering.



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Drupon Sangyas:

"If you want to become free of Samsara, you must not desire things. Desires are like fire and anger is like a poisonous snake - dangerous and ready to bite. We need to remove these things.

The studying of dharma is endless because there are so many teachings. Now we have technology and we can use computers to learn. One of the best ways to study is to listen and then think and contemplate on the message.

It's important to have a kind heart. People choose who they like based on various things. That's ignorance. We shouldn't choose.

What is the mind and where is it? Lots of activities take place in our dreams, just like when we are awake. A dream is also a reality, not an illusion.
When people pass away their consciousness awakens and they go through the bardo, the stage between life and death. They stay on earth for 49 days."

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*Important side note: These diary entries do not reflect every word the teacher said, and there may be some mistakes or misunderstandings, for which I am sorry and accept responsibility. In a few instances, I have interjected my own interpretation or explanation.

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We all received small books that contained the instructions for Phowa practice.

The odd thing is that I had dreams about deceased people and death after my first time doing Phowa.