..續本文上一頁and conversion tunes, namely, those of taking refuge in master, being converted to Buddha, taking refuge in dharma, and taking refuge in lamas.

　　These three tunes are the most basic and must be learned, memorized and repeatedly recited. In the eyes of Buddhists, these tunes are not music (or folk songs) in the general sense, for they cannot be recited or sung at all times or places. Instead, they chanted or sung only with a peaceful, sympathetic and concentrated mind in special situations and on specific occasions, for they are an essential part of Buddhist doctrines, and have the nature to awaken compassion and wisdom in people. All the mantras, tunes and songs mentioned above constitute a part of the fundamental education of Tibetan, by which they transform their attitude toward death and eventually gain complete freedom.

　　Songs for the Bardo Dying

　　Bardo means the transition period between a person”s death and his rebirth, which lasts 49days, every 7days of which a number of master are invited to chant the next of the dead. Texts and melodies vary each time.

　　In Tibetan areas, a series of perse and complicated religious rituals are performed for dying. The first of them is to invoke deities from the four directions to bless and guard the dying. At religious rituals and places for offering sacrifice, the songs of prayer masters are frequently heard as follows:

　　When the dying is going to the end of his life and his spirit is passing away, a bedside master will be invited to help him or her spend the last moment and enter the bardo smoothly.To help the dying transfer his or her consciousness, the master will tap the dying gently and rhythmically from the clavicle to the top of the head, and in peaceful, kind, and sympathetic tones. The master will continue his tapping, gradually slowing down and lowering his voice while he repeats these words. He will not stop until the dying finally departs his life and enters reality.

　　Songs for the Bardo of Realities

　　The bardo of realities is the so-called the bardo of luminosity, in which the image of Yama, who is in charge of truth and justice, will appear, bringing light for this bardo and laying bare all the good and bad deeds of the deceased before his death.

　　To help the dead follow the masters” instructions and eventually enter the marvelous Pure Land of Dewachen, it is necessary to guide their steps on a journey of the rebirth by means of a chant named the transference of the consciousness which is called Phowa in the Tibetan language, and is method of chanting varies from place to place. It is classified into three main types:

　　1. The recited parts are in the form of rhymes with changing rhythm, but special attention is paid to the unity between rhyme and rhythm;

　　2. Some parts have smooth and graceful melodies reminiscent of songs meant for singing ;( the example of music scores is omitted here)

　　3. After smoothly chanting for certain amount of time, the chanter will sing in a high voice along with the clapping of hands. This change will be repeated regularly (to frighten a spirit which is hesitant to the body).

　　Sky Burial

　　Sky burial is the principal burial custom of the Tibetan nationality, which shows the Tibetan Buddhism”s view of the universal, life and the spirit of sacrifice clearly.

　　Sky burial is the last alms of the dying. The ceremonies of sky burial are permeated with music. For example, the lamas chant the doctrines of emancipating Hpho for the dying；expound the primary and secondary causes of life as well as the cycle of existence. Therefore, the fear towards death can be alleviated. If the departed can realize the clear light at the initial stage of bardo---intermediate state, his Hpho can be emancipated.

　　The vultures are waiting around the burial site…

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