[the Fourth Method of Closing the Womb-Door]

Again, even if that doth not close the womb, and one

* Text: Bden-ned-sgyu-ma-liabu (pron. Den-ned-gyu-ma-tabu) : ‘Non-true

the womb should be closed. That is to be meditated as follows:

‘O, the pair, the father and the mother, the black rain, the storm-blasts, the clashing sounds, the terrifying appari- tions, and all the phenomena, are, in their true nature, illusions. Howsoever they may appear, no truth is there [in them]; all substances are unreal and false. Like dreams and like apparitions are they ; they are non-permanent; they have no fixity. What advantage is there in being attached [to them]! What advantage is there in having fear and terror of them! It is the seeing of the non-existent as the existent. All these are hallucinations of one’s own mind. The illusory mind itself doth not exist from eternity; therefore where

hitherto, have held the non-existent to be the existent, the unreal to be the real, the illusory to be the actual, and have wandered in the Sangsara so long. And even now if I do not recognize them to be illusions, then, wandering in the

morass of various miseries.

‘Indeed, all these are like dreams, like hallucinations, like echoes, like the cities of the Odour-eaters,! like mirage, like mirrored forms, like phantasmagoria, like the moon seen in water—not real even for a moment. In truth, they are unreal; they are false.’

By holding one-pointedly to that train of thought, the belief that they are real is dissipated ; and, that being impressed upon the inner continuity [of consciousness], one turneth backwards: if the knowledge of the unreality be impressed deeply in that way, the womb-door will be closed.

[THE FIFTH METHOD OF CLOSING THE WOMB-DOOR] Still, even when this is done, if the holding [phenomena] as real remaineth undissolved, the womb-door is not closed; and, if one be ready to enter into the womb, thereupon one

should close the womb-door by meditating upon the Clear Light, this being the fifth [method]. The meditation is per- formed as follows:

‘Lo! all substances are mine own mind;! and this mind is vacuousness, is unborn, and unceasing.’

Thus meditating, allow the mind to rest in the uncreated [state]|—like, for example, the pouring of water into water. The mind should be allowed its own easy mental posture,

By maintaining this relaxed, uncreated [state of mind], the womb-doors of the four kinds of birth? are sure to be closed. Meditate thus until the closing is successfully accomplished.

[Instructions to the Officiant]: Many very profound teach- ings for closing the womb-door have been given above. It is impossible that they should not liberate people of the highest, the average, and the lowest intellectual capacity. If it be asked why this should be so, it is because, firstly, the con- sciousness in the Bardo possessing supernormal power of perception? of a limited kind, whatever is spoken to one then is apprehended. Secondly, because—although [formerly] deaf or blind—here, at this time, all one’s faculties are perfect, and one can hear whatever is addressed to one. Thirdly, being continually pursued by awe and terror, one thinketh, ‘What is best?’ and, being alertly conscious, one is always coming to hear whatever may be told to one. Since the consciousness is without a prop,’ it immediately goeth to whatever place the mind directeth. Fourthly, it is easy

and unlimited possession on all planes of consciousness. 4 That is, without the human-plane body to depend upon,

to direct it! The memory? is ninefold more lucid than before. Even though stupid [before], at this time, by the workings of karma, the intellect becometh exceedingly clear and capable of meditating whatever is taught to it. [Hence

these virtues.

That the performance of funeral rites should be efficacious, is, likewise, because of that reason. Therefore, the perseverance in the reading of the Great Bardo Thédol for forty-nine days is of the utmost importance. Even if not liberated at one setting-face-to-face, one ought to be liberated at another: this is why so many different settings-face-to-face are necessary.