Guru Viking Podcast Ep332: Oxford Librarian of Tibet - Charles Manson
Nov 7, 2025
In a fascinating discussion, Charles Manson, a specialist librarian for the Tibetan collections at Oxford, takes listeners on a journey through the Bodleian Library’s treasures. He unveils the secrets of Tibetan manuscripts, including the striking gold-lettered Lamdre texts and the concept of terma. Charles shares insights on the Tibetan afterlife and the enlightening Tibetan Book of the Dead. He also reflects on his own path in Tibetology and emphasizes the importance of learning Tibetan for deeper understanding. Prepare for a rich dive into a world of ancient wisdom!
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Bardo Doctrine As a Practical Guide
- The Tibetan Book of the Dead offers staged guidance: moment of death, immediate post-death, then intermediary bardo up to 49 days.
- It aims to enable liberation by preparing or reading the text at death for the dying mind.
Train Phowa And Death Practices Early
- Practice death techniques (phowa, channel visualization) before dying to steer consciousness at death.
- Use meditation training and guided recitation to increase chance of liberation or rebirth in a pure land.
Don't Rush Into Dark Retreats
- Avoid attempting prolonged dark retreats without substantial prior retreat experience and training.
- Build up practice gradually because dark retreat can produce intense mental tests and difficult reactions.
