The practice of Phowa, or conscious dying, is Buddhism's most direct response to the issue of death. Phowa belongs to the set of practices traditionally reserved for those who completed many years of training. Thus, it has been inaccessible except to be received as a final help for the passage from one life to another. Since Tibetan Buddhism has appeared in the western world, Phowa has became available to any Buddhist practitioner though the efforts of teachers who have mastered this traditional practice.

During the course one learns a meditation directing one's awareness to a pure land when the time of death comes. One also learns details of the process of dying as understood by the Buddhist tradition, and how to help and support others during that process.

Lama Ole Nydahl is a qualified Buddhist Lama of Karma Kagyu Lineage and a founder and a main teacher of over 600 lay Buddhist centers around the world under the name of Diamond Way Buddhist Centers. He holds the transmission of Phowa, which allows him to teach this practice. So far more then 90.000 people worldwide received this teaching from him.

Although this practice is available to us, there is a preparatory practice that is important to do in order to take part in the course. The preparation consists of a meditation practice that can be done at home when time allows. Please contact your local center if you have any questions.