Supporting a Dying Person Through Bardo and Phowa practices
with Geshe Sherap Lodo and Dr. Sangmo Yangri
In-person and online
Date: June 27-29, 2025
Organized by Ligmincha Magyarország
Join us for this rare occasion to receive practical guidance from beloved and esteemed teachers of the Bön Buddhist tradition.
During this weekend Geshe Sherab Lodoe and Dr. Sangmo Yangri will give us a rich and practical introduction and teachings on how to apply the Bardo and Phowa practices during the dying process.
Geshe Sherab Lodoe will teach us and give precious and very simple experiential advise on how we can effectively help our family members, our loved ones, how we can guide their consciousness towards the proper exit from the body at the time of the death, which have a profound impact for the dying person to take a good direction, and right destination for a fortunate rebirth. These simple instructions and practices can be applied by everybody whether they are practitioners or not!
The Bardo teachings describe the the bardo states, including the intermediate state between death and rebirth, and Phowa, is a practice transference of consciousness at the time of death.
According to Bön cosmology, the Bardo states represent an opportunity for spiritual realization, but they can also be disorienting or frightening without proper guidance. The dying person is encouraged to recognize the nature of mind (the pure, luminous awareness) as a means to attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Phowa, or the practice of transference of consciousness, is a key method used to assist in the dying process. In Phowa, the practitioner (either the dying person or a spiritual guide on their behalf) uses focused meditation, breath control, and visualization to direct the consciousness at the moment of death into a higher realm or directly into the state of enlightenment. This practice is especially emphasized when there is little time for formal Bardo guidance or when the dying person is not spiritually prepared.
The role of companions or spiritual caregivers is crucial in during the dying process. Support may include:
- Reciting sacred texts
- Performing rituals to clear karmic obstacles
- Creating a peaceful environment through mantras, incense, images of deities, and sacred objects
- Guiding the dying person with gentle reminders to remain mindful and fearless as death approaches
After death, Bön rituals continue to assist the consciousness during its Bardo journey, with specific ceremonies held over 49 days to help the deceased navigate the stages of dissolution, clear visions, and karmic unfoldings.
Ultimately, these practices are not only about easing the transition of death but also about using death itself as a powerful opportunity for spiritual awakening. The Bön tradition teaches that, with the right preparation and support, dying can become a sacred door to realization.
About the Teachers
Geshe Sherap Lodoe and Dr. Sangmo Yangri are highly respected teachers with many years of experience and deep knowledge of the Bön tradition. Geshe Sherap Lodoe completed his full monastic education at Menri Monastery in India, earning the title of Geshe. Dr. Sangmo Yangri received her doctorate from Varanasi University, specializing in Tibetan studies. Both have served as teachers at the Lishu Institute in India. In addition to their in-person teachings, they have offered numerous online courses for Western students. In 2019, they traveled across Europe to teach in several countries, including a visit to Hungary.
Venue
- A Tan Kapuja Buddhista Főiskola
- Cím: Börzsöny u. 11, 1098 Budapest, Hungary
Schedule
June 27, Friday
June 28, Saturday
- 09:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Sang Chöd
- 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Teaching
- 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Break
- 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Teaching
- 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Lunch Break
- 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Teaching
- 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Break
- 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Teaching
- 6:00 p.m. – Chöd Practice with the Teacher
June 29, Sunday
- 09:00 - 10:00 Sang Chöd
- 10:00 - 11:00 Teaching
- 11:00 - 11:30 Break
- 11:30 - 13:00 Teaching
- 13:00 - 15:00 Lunch Break
- 15:00 – 17:00 Teaching / Closing
- 17:00 – 17:30 Break
- 17:30 – Chöd Practice with the Teacher
Offering:
Options for offering (in person participation)
Options for offering (online participation)