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Etymology
editI heard that the term and the practice actually came from Taoism. The corresponding Chinese term is "Tuo Sheng" (投生), meaning transmitting life.
Change
editI changed some of the page. It was previously not neutral at all so the warning was correct. Please fill in more details and correct the incorrect. Thanks
NPOV
editOn the main page of this subject it says that there is a discussion on the pruposed description of the subject. It says: "This article may not conform to the neutral point of view policy. A Wikipedian has nominated this article to be checked for its neutrality. Discussion of this nomination can be found on the talk page.", but I cannot find a link to the discussion or talk page. Could this be corrected, so that we can join in to the discussion about neutrality.
- Congratulations! You created the talk page. No one explained why the article was questioned, although I do question some of the content. Csbodine 04:50, 20 January 2006 (UTC)
- As no reason has been cited, I have removed the 'POV check' tag for now. Dforest 03:36, 13 March 2006 (UTC)
Incorrect information
editThere seems to be a lot of unneccesary and incorrect sources quoted here. Also, the page lacks a lot of information and hopefully, someone with more knowledge than me can improve it. However, I feel that it might be difficult, seeing as how the Six Yogas of Naropa are supposed to be kept secret. Jmlee369 (talk) 04:04, 31 January 2008 (UTC)
- I concur that much of the information here is somewhere between questionable and obviously wrong. It needs a total overhaul. Fortunately, I believe that there are reliable public sources that describe the practice in some depth. I thought that Lama Yeshe had one, but I can't locate it. Still, it should be possible to do a proper job. Arthur chos (talk) 11:09, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
Published Sources / Secrecy
editThe "Tibetan Book of the Dead" details one form of consciousness transference, that seems to fit the above description, although the translation I own does not specifically call it Phowa.
A better introduction to the practice, from my perspective, is contained in "Heart Drops of Dharmakaya" that specifically referes to it as Phowa. The only caution regarding that book I would add, the author, Master Lopon Namdak, states the practices contained therein should only be performed by initiates into the lineage.
It seems to me, the issue of secrecy in many of these practices is severely undermined by the Masters of the lineages book contracts. Sort of like the atom bomb or Pandora's box, it's difficult to maintain the "secret" when it is already out there.
Great Comment Above - As an initiate and practictioner of the same deities as Master Namdak - i would caution - Phowa merely means "consciousness transfer" - as such, practices and secrets may vary, depending on the source of the teaching. For instance, the Phowa practices contained in "Heart Drops of Dharmakaya" are mainly intended, as he states, for those who feel their stability in Dzogchen is insufficent to obtain liberation / buddhahood during the bardo states. The teachings of the TBOTD are far more broad, detailing the entire bardo stage of attaining liberation from the various bardos to taking rebirth in the desire realms. Both books (at least my edition of the TBOTD) contain admonishments for serious practictioners to seek out a qualified teacher of the lineage. These cautions, to me, are not so much related to keeping esoteric secrets of the lineage. Rather, they are more a mechanism to prevent one from being led astray by themselves or by false masters.
Lastly, with regards to "Heart Drops of Dharmakaya," the main protector deity of the lineage, Sidpa Gyalmo directed Master Namdak to publish that particular teaching of Shardza to a wider audience. He explained this is one of his later writings on the lineage. For one who bases their spiritual development on these teachings, I would suggest they find a Bon lama - or if they are unable by circumstances to do so, follow the instructions given by Master Namdak and develop a sense of comittment to the Buddha of the pure lands he describes.