What Is The Bardo? And Why Was Lincoln There?

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Post on Feb 10, 2025

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What is the Bardo? And Why Was Lincoln There?

The Bardo. The word itself evokes mystery and intrigue. It's not a place easily defined with a simple sentence, but rather a concept rich with history, spirituality, and, in the case of President Abraham Lincoln, profound personal significance. This article delves into the understanding of the Bardo, its significance in Tibetan Buddhism, and explores Lincoln's unexpected connection to this enigmatic realm.

Understanding the Bardo: A Tibetan Buddhist Concept

In Tibetan Buddhism, the Bardo (often spelled "Bardo") refers to the intermediate state between death and rebirth. It's not simply a waiting room, but rather a period of profound transformation and opportunity. This intermediate state is described in the Tibetan Book of the Dead (also known as the Liberation through Hearing in the Bardo), a text outlining the experiences and potential paths available during this crucial period.

The Three Bardos: Navigating the Afterlife

The Tibetan Book of the Dead details three main Bardos:

• Chikhai Bardo (Bardo of the Moment of Death): This is the initial phase, characterized by powerful visions and intense experiences as consciousness separates from the physical body.
• Chonyid Bardo (Bardo of the Manifestation): This is a period of intense visions and hallucinations, often reflecting the deceased's karma and past experiences. These visions can be terrifying or blissful, depending on their spiritual development.
• Sidpa Bardo (Bardo of Rebirth): This is the final phase, where the consciousness is drawn toward a new incarnation, influenced by its experiences during the previous two bardos.

The teachings emphasize the importance of mental preparation and spiritual practice during life to navigate the Bardo successfully and achieve liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara).

Lincoln and the Bardo: A Historical Mystery

President Abraham Lincoln's connection to the Bardo isn't a direct one, as in him having experienced it himself. Instead, his connection is linked to the cultural and spiritual context surrounding his death and the ensuing national grief.

The National Mourning and Spiritual Seeking

Lincoln's assassination in 1865 plunged the nation into a period of profound mourning and introspection. The sheer enormity of his loss, combined with the ongoing trauma of the Civil War, led many to grapple with profound spiritual questions. The Bardo, though not widely understood in mainstream American culture at the time, fits within this broader context of spiritual searching and contemplation surrounding death and the afterlife.

The Power of Symbolism and Metaphor

The concept of a "bardo-like" experience, a period of uncertainty and transition in the aftermath of Lincoln's death, can be seen in the national psyche. The nation was in a bardo of its own: a liminal space between the horrors of war and the uncertain future of Reconstruction. The profound grief and uncertainty of the time resonated with the themes of uncertainty and transformation central to the Bardo's concept.

Modern Interpretations and Connections

Modern authors and scholars have explored the metaphorical relationship between Lincoln's death and the Bardo. They draw parallels between the nation's grieving process and the challenges of navigating the intermediate state described in Tibetan Buddhism. This interpretation doesn't suggest Lincoln literally experienced the Bardo in a Buddhist sense, but rather uses the Bardo as a powerful lens through which to understand the national experience of grief and transition following his assassination.

Conclusion: The Enduring Mystery

The Bardo remains a complex and fascinating concept, a journey into the unknown that holds deep significance for those who study it. While Abraham Lincoln's connection to the Bardo is not literal, the parallels between the national mourning and the themes of the Bardo offer a compelling metaphor for understanding the profound impact of his death and the subsequent period of national transition and healing. The Bardo, in its essence, represents a timeless exploration of death, rebirth, and the human experience of loss and transformation. It's a concept that continues to resonate with people across cultures and time periods, reminding us of the enduring mystery of life and death.