Originating from Tibetan Buddhism, more precisely from the Vajrayāna tradition, this practice, sometimes called "transfer of consciousness" at the time of death, aims to guide the mind towards a state of liberation or a favorable rebirth.
🔹 Definition and Origin
The Tibetan word P’owa (འཕོ་བ་) literally means transference. This spiritual practice aims to consciously project consciousness out of the body at the moment of death, towards a purer state of consciousness or the field of bliss (Dewachen), associated with Amitābha (Buddha of Infinite Light).
P’owa is one of the Six Yogas of Nāropa, a set of advanced techniques transmitted in the tantric lineages of Tibetan Buddhism (notably the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions).
🔹 Spiritual Objective
The goal of Phowa is to:
Avoid unfavorable rebirths in the lower realms.
Access Dewachen, the paradise of Amitābha, to continue the practice until Enlightenment.
Achieve Mahāmudrā (great union) or clear light in the bardo.
Free oneself from the cycle of samsāra without having to master all the preliminary practices.
🔹 Preparations for Practice
Before practicing P’owa, certain steps are essential:
Ngöndro (Preliminaries)
Refuge in the Three Jewels.
Development of bodhicitta (the mind of enlightenment).
Practice of purification (Vajrasattva).
Accumulation of merit (offerings, prostrations, etc.).
Transmission and Blessing
It is imperative to receive oral transmission (lung), initiation (wang), and instruction (tri) from a qualified master.
🔹 Visualization and Technical Process
Posture
Sitting in meditation posture (lotus or half-lotus).
Spine erect, breathing calm.
Subtle Channels
Visualization of the central channel (uma): straight, transparent, running from the navel chakra to the crown of the head.
The two side channels wrap around the central channel.
Visualization of Buddha Amitābha
Amitābha sits enthroned in the sky before you, radiating ruby-red light.
Visualize a lotus flower, a moon disc, and the syllable HRIH at the crown of your head (crown chakra).
Mantra and Breath
Recitation of the Amitābha Mantra:
OM AMI DEWA HRIH
As you exhale, imagine your consciousness (in the form of a bindu or sphere of light) rising through the central channel and ejecting through the crown of the head to the heart of Buddha Amitābha.
Transfer of Consciousness
With each breath, refine the intention to unite with Amitābha.
Finally, imagine your consciousness merging with the luminous heart of the Buddha, free from the body and karma.
🔹 Signs of Success
According to the masters, signs indicating the successful completion of Phowa may include:
A sensation of warmth or movement at the crown of the head.
Sometimes, a drop of blood or a slight opening at the vertex (crown chakra).
In monasteries, the flexibility of the body after death or the direction of the gaze are sometimes even checked.
🔹 Phowa for Others (Transfer by Proxy)
An advanced practitioner can perform Phowa on behalf of a dying person or deceased person, with dedicated visualization and recitation. This is done within 49 days of death (the duration of the bardo), to orient the mind toward liberation.
🔹 Precautions and Limitations
Do not practice lightly: Phowa can cause premature uprooting of consciousness.
Always practice under the supervision of an experienced teacher.
Can cause energetic imbalances if performed incorrectly.
🔹Website - Resources and Teachings of Phowa
Phowa Foundation
Information and support for the practice of Phowa (Tibetan tradition):
https://phowafoundation.org/
Gar Drolma Buddhist Learning and Meditation Center
Teachings and practices of Drikung Phowa, with texts & events sometimes online:
https://gardrolma.org/programs/amitabha-buddha-empowerment-phowa-teachings-practices/
https://gardrolma.org/programs/phowa-retreat/
Dolpo Tulku Rinpoche – Phowa practice
Online practice sessions (participation by registration):
https://www.dolpotulku.org/en/termin/phowa-practice-2/
https://www.dolpotulku.org/en/termin/online-phowa-retreat-2/
Healing Buddha France – Phakyab Rinpoche
Teachings and retreats (including Phowa) with video resources:
https://healingbuddhafrance.org/
Tara Mandala – Phowa Events
Online or in-person teachings and retreats (sometimes paid):
https://www.taramandala.org/programs-2/16452/phowa
Phowa Retreats or Guided Teachings (direct teachings)
Phowa Retreats with Phakyab Rinpoche
Dates and registration in Europe/Zoom via the Healing Buddha France website:
https://healingbuddhafrance.org/
Retreats of Phowa with Patrul Rinpoche
Information & registration:
http://patrulrinpoche.net/fr/events/retraite-de-powa/
Example of P’owa
Settle into a comfortable position, whether in a meditation posture, sitting, or lying down.
Gradually bring your attention inward, then release all tension to reach a state of deep relaxation.
Before you, in the vastness of the sky, evoke the manifestation of the truth to which you are intimately connected, in the form of a radiant light. You can choose a divine or spiritual figure who inspires you and is close to you— Whether it be the inner presence of the Holy Spirit, God, Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Buddha—or, failing that, visualizing a pure, benevolent, golden light.
The essential thing is to recognize in this presence the personification of the wisdom, truth, goodness, and compassion of awakened beings. If the visualization lacks clarity, don’t worry: simply let your heart fill with this presence and cultivate the certainty that it is there, beside you.
Fully direct your mind, heart, and being toward this presence, then silently formulate the following prayer:
“ By your blessing, your grace, and your assistance, and by the power of the light that emanates from you,
may all my negative karma, destructive emotions, obscurations, and blockages be purified and dissipated.
May I be freed from all guilt and know myself forgiven for the harmful thoughts and actions I may have caused.
May I perform this practice with depth and leave this world with dignity. and peace.
And, through the transformation of death, may I become a source of blessings for all beings, whether living or deceased.”
Now imagine that this luminous presence, deeply moved by the sincerity and fervor of your prayer, responds with a benevolent smile. From its heart emanates a stream of light, composed Rays of love and compassion flow towards you.
As they reach you and pass through you, these rays deeply purify your karma, your disturbing emotions, and the veils that cause suffering. You perceive and feel that you are now completely enveloped and imbued with light.
In this state, consider yourself totally purified and healed by this benevolent light. Your body, born of karma, gradually dissolves to become light itself.
This body of light that you have become then rises towards the sky and merges fully, inseparably, into this luminous and blissful presence.
Remain in this state of unity and presence for as long as possible.