Three stages of “bardo”
“Bardo” or the “in-between state” following death has three stages, according to a Tibetan monk. Authenticity of neither the “monk” nor his “theory” has been verified. His “theory of the three stages of bardo” however is explainable.
According to the “theory”, there are three stages of “bardo” or “in-between states”. The first is the in-between state at moment of death. The second in-between stage is the realm of the bodhisattvas, and the third in-between stage is the waiting stage for reincarnation. The spirit in each of the three stages of “bardo” has free will, and each stage has its unique environment. The first stage of “bardo” is described as ascension towards the bright light. The second stage of “bardo” is described as the realm of the bodhisattvas, the 42 “calm” buddhas and 58 “angry” buddhas that will review the spirit. The third stage of “bardo” is the waiting stage for reincarnation.
[Master Chen says]
The authenticity of the Tibetan “monk” and of his “theory of the three stages of bardo” is not verified, however, the “theory” does seem to be explainable.
The so-called “first stage of bardo” begins with ascension towards the bright white light and meeting up with the benevolent spirits bathed in the white light. All near death experiencers know this.
The so-called “second stage of bardo” is the realm of the benevolent spirits bathed in
the white light. They not only show the near death experiencers their realm of peacefulness and love, they also advise the near death experiencers against “staying” and gently tell the near death experiencers that their mission in the human world has not finished yet and that they must “return” to their bodies to carry out their mission in life. Most near death experiencers have reached this stage and have been told to “return” and then are “pushed” back into their bodies.
The so-called “third stage of bardo” is the waiting stage for reincarnation. Many Buddhist masters claim that sincere Buddhists who pray for direct ascension to the Buddhist pure land can do so and avoid the cycle of reincarnation.
I often see a mental image of a lady in white sitting in a throne with a bright white light behind her way up in the heavens waiting for me. I know exactly who she is because she has planted that image firmly in my mind. I also know that I will ascend directly to her place in the heavens to be next to her and her throne.
This indicates that my “third stage of bardo” will bypass reincarnation.
Isotonic Rehabilitation 