Tukdam

In the Vajrayana tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, tukdam (Tibetan: ཐུགས་དམ, Wylie: thugs dam་) is a post-mortem meditative state observed in advanced Tibetan Buddhist practitioners. This state occurs after clinical death, wherein the body shows minimal signs of decomposition, retaining a lifelike appearance for days or even weeks. Practitioners are believed to be in a profound state of meditation, merging their consciousness with the Clear Light, a fundamental concept in Tibetan Buddhism signifying the primordial nature of mind and reality. The tradition states that the tukdam is available to all people, but only the expert practitioners of meditation, when dying, can recognize it and use for spiritual purposes. The tradition became more popular among Tibetan exiles after the 14th Dalai Lama's call for the scientific research of the matter.

Description
The practice of tukdam involves the practitioner's consciousness remaining in a meditative state known as the "Clear Light Stage" after death, a process of inner dissolution of the five elements and consciousness back into the Primordial Light. A person might spend in this state anywhere from a minute to weeks, depending on the level of their realization, but only the expert practitioners of meditation, when dying, can recognize it and use for spiritual purposes. As Sogyal Rinpoche describes it in The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying:

"A realized practitioner continues to abide by the recognition of the nature of mind at the moment of death, and awakens into the Ground Luminosity when it manifests. He or she may even remain in that state for a number of days. Some practitioners and masters die sitting upright in that state for a number of days. Some practitioners and masters die sitting upright in meditation posture, and others in the 'posture of the sleeping lion'. Besides their perfect poise, there will be other signs that show they are resting in the state of the Ground Luminosity: There is still a certain color and glow in their face, the nose does not sink inward, the skin remains soft and flexible, the body does not become stiff, the eyes are said to keep a soft and compassionate glow, and there is still a warmth at the heart. Great care is taken that the master’s body is not touched, and silence is maintained until he or she has arisen from this state of meditation."

The appearance of people that entered tukdam, in tantric view, is described as "radiant", with the skin maintaining its softness and elasticity. Exit is manifested by the body beginning to decompose.

Cultural and religious significance
Tukdam holds profound cultural and religious significance within Tibetan Buddhism, symbolizing the pinnacle of meditative practice and spiritual realization. It is viewed as a manifestation of a practitioner's mastery over the mind and the death process, reflecting their deep understanding and experience of the nature of consciousness and reality.

In Tibetan Buddhism, death is not seen as an end but a transition. The state of tukdam represents an advanced level of spiritual attainment where the practitioner’s consciousness remains in meditation after clinical death, merging into the Clear Light or Ground Luminosity. This concept is extensively discussed in Tibetan texts such as The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche. The book describes how a realized practitioner recognizes the nature of mind at the moment of death and awakens into the Ground Luminosity, remaining in that state for several days.

Tukdam is considered a sacred and awe-inspiring state that demonstrates the potential of Buddhist meditation practices. It provides a powerful example of the mind’s ability to transcend physical death, serving as both inspiration and instruction for other practitioners. The phenomenon underscores the importance of meditation, ethical living, and the development of wisdom and compassion, core tenets of Tibetan Buddhism.

Moreover, the cultural practices surrounding tukdam are carefully observed to support the deceased practitioner’s meditative state. The body is typically not disturbed or moved until signs of tukdam have ceased, reflecting the belief that the consciousness is still present and active. These practices highlight the deep respect and reverence for the meditative achievements of advanced practitioners.

Books such as Death and Rebirth in Tibetan Buddhism by Lati Rinpoche and Jeffrey Hopkins, and Mind Beyond Death by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, further explore the spiritual and philosophical underpinnings of tukdam, detailing the processes and significance of post-mortem meditation. These works emphasize the continuity of consciousness and the profound states of awareness that can be achieved through dedicated practice. Additionally, scholarly research and personal accounts of tukdam, as compiled in Testimonies of Tibetan Tulkus: A Research Among Reincarnate Buddhist Masters in Exile by Dieter Bärlocher, provide invaluable insights into the lived experiences and teachings of those who have attained this state.

Scientific research
Western scientific interest in tukdam has grown, leading to several studies examining this phenomenon.

Field Study of Long-term Meditation Practitioners and Tukdam
Instigated by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the Field Study of Long-term Meditation Practitioners and the Tukdam Post-death Meditative State aims to scientifically investigate the tukdam state. This study began in 1995 after a discussion between neuroscientist Richard Davidson and the Dalai Lama about the meditative death of Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche, who remained in tukdam for 13 days. Renewed interest in 2006 led to the formal start of the project in 2007, with collaborations involving the Office of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Medical and Astro-Science Institute, Delek Hospital, and the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

The primary objectives of the study are to document and analyze the physical and physiological signs of tukdam, explore potential correlations between meditation practices and the preservation of the body, and understand the consciousness and brain activity during the tukdam state. Methods include electroencephalography (EEG) to detect any residual brain activity after clinical death, thermal imaging to monitor body temperature, and medical examinations by Tibetan doctors. A notable research effort led by neuroscientist Richard Davidson investigates the physiological and neurological aspects of tukdam. Despite the challenges posed by differing paradigms, these studies aim to understand the relationship between meditation, consciousness, and physical signs of tukdam.

Practitioners in tukdam show remarkable preservation, with bodies not exhibiting typical post-mortem signs such as rigor mortis and decomposition. A hypothesis that tukdam corresponds to some residual brain activity after the clinical death had been tested using an electroencephalogram (EEG). However, these EEG studies have not detected any brain activity, leading to questions about the nature of consciousness and its possible dissociation from measurable brain functions. The study highlights challenges in reconciling Tibetan Buddhist views on consciousness and death with Western scientific paradigms. Tibetan Buddhism views tukdam as a state where the most subtle consciousness is still present, while Western science struggles to understand and measure this phenomenon within its current frameworks.

The field study is significant for several reasons. It fosters a dialogue between Eastern spiritual traditions and Western scientific approaches, enriching both fields. It challenges scientists to develop new methodologies and theoretical frameworks to study consciousness and post-mortem phenomena. It provides deeper insights into Tibetan Buddhist practices and their potential implications for understanding life, death, and consciousness.

Documentary film
The film Tukdam: Between Worlds by Donagh Coleman documents the scientific investigations of tukdam, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison field study, and contrasts them with Tibetan cultural and spiritual perspectives on death. The film highlights the complexities of bridging Western scientific methods with Tibetan Buddhist beliefs, showcasing intimate stories of meditators and their experiences with tukdam. The film feature both the 14th Dalai Lama and neuroscientist Richard Davidson.

The film was reviewed by Adele Tomlin of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. Tomlin was particularly impressed with its emotional resonance, especially for viewers familiar with Tibetan Buddhist practice of phowa. However, she criticized the film for documenting only a single example of a female tukdam and for lacking the voices of female practitioners. Coleman acknowledged this gap during a Q & A session, noting difficulties in accessing these examples despite efforts to include them. He interviewed British Tibetan Buddhist nun Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo but did not include the conversation due to time constraints.

Reports of attainment
In 1865, Togden Rangrig died at the age of 77. His body remained in final meditation posture, tukdam, for seven days. After this period his body was the size of an eight year old. This dissolution of the body into the elements at the time of death is called the rainbow body and is the highest attainment of Dzogchen meditation. At the time of cremation signs of the meditative realization of the practitioner can appear. Ayu Khandro, who was present at Togden Rangrig's cremation, recounted "As we were making the funeral pyre and preparing the body to be burned everyone heard a loud noise like a thunderclap. A strange half-snow half-rain fell."

In September 2014, Buddhistdoor Global reported that in August, Dudjom Sangyum Kusho Rigdzin Wangmo had entered the state of tukdam. Wangmo was the consort and second wife of Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, a high lama of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

In 2015, Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche died of natural causes on the 20th day of the female wood sheep year lunar Tibetan calendar (30 December 2015) at around 5 pm (NPT) in Pharping, Nepal. His body remained in tukdam for three days after his death. His mahaparinirvana ceremony was led by his two heart sons Katok Situ Rinpoche and Dudjom Yangsi Rinpoche.

In May 2020, the Central Tibetan Administration reported that "a Tibetan nun named Tenzin Choedon aged 82 was found in the rare meditative state of Thukdam after passing away on Friday last week". During her life, she had spent over 44 years in mediation retreat in holy caves of Guru Padmasambhava.

In September 2020, the Tibetan community in Bengaluru, a city in south India, reported that the body of Passang Chokpa, a 90-year-old woman who had been declared clinically dead had not stiffened, there was no discoloration and she appeared as if she was in deep sleep. They concluded that Chokpa was in a state of tukdam, which she maintained for seven days.

On 11 December 2020, the Central Tibetan Administration reported that "Twenty days has passed since Geshe Tenpa Dhargyal, a Buddhist scholar at Gaden Jangtse Monastery in South India was declared clinically dead, but has since shown no signs of physical decay or depletion", and provided a photo of Geshe still seated in meditation on day 20, noting that it was believed that he was in the state of tukdam.

On 18 December 2020 in Singapore, it was reported that Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche "had entered a state of tukdam—an advanced meditative state practiced by Buddhist masters during the intermediate post-death period."

On 20 April 2021, the Central Tibetan Adminstration reported that "37 days have passed since Gelong Ngagrampa Gendun Tsering, a senior Buddhist scholar and an acclaimed tantric master of Gyuto Tantric Monastery was declared clinically dead, but has since shown no signs of physical decay or depletion", and that he was believed to be in a state of tukdam.