The Great Perfection Teachings: Buddha in the Palm of the Hand

Phowa

Also see Amitabha Buddha of Infinite Light    Shitro Bardo Practice  

Amitabha Buddha of Infinite Light

In Dewachen: Amitabha Buddha's Pure Land in the Western Direction

It can be said that there are many Pure Lands of Enlightened Beings we call Buddhas. 

The Blissful Pure Land of Amitabha is the easiest to get to and therefore quite special. 

Through the power of prayer, of devoted and fervent aspiration, 

one can accomplish the transference of one’s consciousness to Amitabha’s pureland.

Amitabha is said to reside in blissful samadhi (meditation) in Dewachen: the peaceful heaven of the western direction. 

He is represented by a rosy color, which signifies his ability to turn the passions into all-seeing wisdom and compassion. 

He exhibits the Samadhi mudra with his two palms folded face up one on top of the other, lying in his lap. 

In his palms he holds a Kalasa which contains Amrita, the elixir of immortality; it is also a symbol of plenty. 

PHOWA PRACTICE

Understanding the process of dying, we can live a happier, more peaceful and far more productive life. 

As we enjoy life, we can prepare to die consciously and well: with hope, faith and dignity.  

In Tibet, nomadic herders and other individuals who never had the opportunity to even practice meditation

 would travel months to the nearest monastery to receive phowa instruction at least once in their lives.

The practice of Conscious Dying, or Phowa, is one of the profound teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. 

Phowa literally means "transference of consciousness". In old Tibet, ordinary people without the time or resources 

to pursue a dedicated meditation and spiritual practice trained in the vajrayana meditation practice of "Phowa". 

Phowa is also known as the Tibetan Buddhist “insurance policy’ for death and dying.

Once in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha in the state of one's True Nature (Buddha Nature), 

further teachings are received and successful meditation is facilitated and achieved.

Ultimately leading to Complete Enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.  

As in old Tibet for the past 1000 years of unbroken Palyul lineage and also for today - 

for individuals living a busy modern life with many distractions and demands on time who cannot follow a regular 

and dedicated meditation practice and training - the Phowa practice is recommended and ideal.  

Reliable and safe Phowa instructions and empowerment must be received only from an authentic and qualified teacher.

This Phowa teaching is presented by PCD Dallas main teacher and Spiritual Director -

Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche.

Also, if done with strong compassion and devotion, Phowa practice can help the dying on their journey 

toward enlightenment or at least to a higher spiritual awareness. 

Any practice or prayers done on behalf of the dying will help to purify any negative karmas.

 And will assist in releasing non-trained individuals from the unexpected suffering and turmoil 

of non-conscious dying and enable them to die peacefully.

Phowa is a critical practice in dying well and consciously. 

Instead of being driven without choice or control through the intermediate after death state (Bardo) 

and into a new rebirth in the cycle of existence, with successful Phowa practice the consciousness transfers 

directly into the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha for further training leading to Enlightenment.  

Through meditation training and practice, individuals (at their own unique pace) can achieve 

greater and greater understanding of both their own True (Buddha) Nature and the Nature of Absolute Reality. 

This process is of critical importance not only in this life but in the dying process as well.  

The teachings of Tibetan Buddhism - consisting of developing and achieving the state 

of Absolute Compassion and Wisdom [Complete or Absolute Enlightenment] –  

provide a process for the understanding of our True Nature and also the Absolute True Nature of Reality. 

(The Absolute True Nature of Reality is perceived in totality only by the enlightened awareness of an Enlightened Being.)

Meditation practitioners of superior abilities will achieve Enlightenment in this lifetime. 

Of course, complete Enlightenment in this one lifetime of practice is rare. 

Sincere and dedicated practitioners will achieve more understanding of their True Nature (Buddha Nature) during their life. 

And will therefore at least attain a higher level of spiritual awareness during the dying process. 

A very successful outcome is to immediately transfer consciousness into the Clear Light of Wisdom at the very instant of death.

However, this outcome requires a dedicated meditation and spiritual practice and a highly developed level of spiritual awareness. 

And many individuals do not have time for dedicated meditation practice while also pursuing daily life, working, raising a family, etc.

Recommended Reading/Study 

"Whether you live a day, a week, a month a year, make that time meaningful. Involve your thoughts in what is beneficial in the long run. The longer you live, the more beneficial it will be." 

Tsele Natsok Rangdrol, THE MIRROR OF MINDFULNESS: The Cycle of the Four Bardos

Presentation of Tibetan Buddhist teachings on the endless cycle of experience, the four bardos: life, death, after-death, and rebirth. Instruction is aimed at inspiring and helping the practitioner achieve liberation from deluded existence and awaken to complete enlightenment for  the benefit of others. 

Dudjom Rinpoche, COUNSELS FROM MY HEART  

As a teacher of legendary kindness and wisdom, Dudjom Rinpoche (deceased, former head of the Nyingma lineage) is highly regarded. This volume contains some of the very few of Dudjom Rinpoche's teachings that have ever been translated and published. In it he discusses the Three Jewels, self and cyclic existence and the bardo states between life and death.

Thurman, Robert A. F. (trans.) . Bardo Thödol: The Tibetan Book of the Dead 

Khenchen (Head Professor) Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche  

is the Spiritual Director of Palyul Changchub Dargyeling Meditation and Study Centers in the United States. 

His Holiness Penor Rinpoche (founder and head of Namdroling Monastery, Bylakuppe, India; see www.palyul.org) 

has authorized KhenchenTsewang Gyatso Rinpoche to represent Namdroling Monastery and to teach, 

confer empowerments and to give personal instruction in Buddhist practice. 

Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche is the representative of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche in the US. 

He is an authentic and qualified teacher, a recognized scholar and a Dzogchen master. 

Khenchen Rinpoche is also one of the three senior Khenpos (Professors) at Ngagyur Institute at Namdroling Monastery

in India; where he is responsible for the last three years of the nine year training for Buddhist shedra (seminary) students.  

Khenchen Rinpoche has been teaching in West for over 20 years; and his fluent English, sense of humor and deep insight 

into Western culture make him a reputable and popular teacher. He graduated at the top of all four traditions of 

Tibetan Buddhism in shedra (seminary school) and was awarded the Silver Medal 

for academic accomplishment by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche has been our best-kept 'secret' in the US! His ability to simply and easily explain 

and teach even the most complicated concepts in a very condensed form has led to his teaching commitments growing

 expotentially beyond the US. This year, he is traveling and teaching in India, Singapore, 

Taiwan, the Philippines, Germany and Australia, as well as the US.

Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche has received all of the major lineage empowerments and transmissions of the Nyingma

school and Palyul lineage and has done intensive dzogchen practice under the guidance of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche 

and other eminent dzogchen masters including Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, 

Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche.

Palyul Changchub Dargyeling Dallas is honored to have Khenchen Rinpoche as Spiritual Director.