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Sogyal Rinpoche
Sogyal Rinpoche is an author known for his work, The mountains of Tibet. His books often explore spiritual wisdom and offer guidance on life and compassion.
Das tibetische Buch vom Leben und vom Sterben
Sogyal Rinpoche's landmark work introduces Western readers to Tibetan Buddhist perspectives on life, death, and rebirth, framing the three as inseparably connected rather than as a single frightening endpoint. The book moves from an introduction to meditation and the nature of mind through explanations of karma and rebirth to concrete guidance on compassionate care for the dying and the recently deceased.
Adapting centuries-old contemplative practices for a contemporary audience, Rinpoche presents a practical path toward facing one's own mortality without being ruled by fear of it — and toward being present for others who are dying.
Since its original publication, the book has sold several million copies and been translated into more than thirty languages, becoming one of the most widely read introductions to Buddhist thought on death in the West.
The author faced significant public allegations of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse from former students, which led to his retirement from the Rigpa organization in 2017 prior to his death in 2019.
The text includes guidance on the importance of being cautious and discerning when evaluating the conduct and qualifications of a spiritual teacher.