What is the Book of the Dead?

Answer 1

Actually your all wrong. Well actually not wrong.. just a little off.

There are more than one "book of the dead"...

There is an Egyptian one ( Per-em hru, or the book of coming forth by day) and then there is a Tibetan book of the dead.

Both are pretty different, being that the egyptian book of the dead explains the death process, and the process the soul undergoes after death. It explains the death of the energy bodies ( The Ka, The Ba, and the Ib).

The Tibetan Book of the dead on the other hand is a buddhist scripture, that explains the dying process for the living, and how to live your life.

Of course there is much, much more to all of this, but its to much to cover in depth here. This obviously is very rough. I encourage you to read for yourself these to beautiful works of literature.

The Necronomicon, not to be confused at all with the above mentioned books is a work of fiction. Thought up by HP Lovecraft, a sci fi/ horror writer. This book was proportedly written by the Mad Arab, and gives a glimpse at the rites of a cult that worships Alien-like gods. Many versions exist to this date, however the most popular version is By Simon, and last time I checked is being published by Avon.

The other Necronomicon is about a Book containing Demonic beings. It is written in Human Blood, and is encased in Human Skin. This version cannot be seen in literature, but in Movies. Evil Dead I, II, III. These are very old movies! I think it was directed by the famous Sam Raimi, and and dont forget that the famous Bruce Campbell stars in them. Although they are very low budget films, and from the 80's the movie is very popular. Most of the time when the Necronomicon is mentioned, this is what pops into most people's minds.

Answer 2

Some people are trying to mislead you that the Book of the Dead is the same as the Necronomicon, that crazy book of made up spells penned by an author named The Mad Arab....aka, H.P.Lovecraft. The Book of the Dead that I believe you are talking about is an Egyptian script that details a persons trip to the under/other world after death.

The Book of the Dead is a scroll that is often found with egyptian entombed deceased, that is a protection and guide for the spirit to pass through the Egyptian underworld reletively unscathed. It's like a collection of talismans and spells designed to help the traveller.

The Book of the Dead is also elluded to as the written transcript of all the deceased's life events, like a spiritual autobiography. It is remarkably simular to signing the guest register at places you visit...like weddings and funerals.

Answer 3

http://reluctant-messenger.com/Tibetan-Book-Dead_Evans-Wentz.htm <<< tibetan 'book of the dead'
The Tibetan Book of the Dead, whose actual title is "The Great Liberation upon Hearing in the Intermediate State" or "Bardo Thodol", is traditionally believed to be the work of the legendary Padma Sambhava in the 8th century A.D. The book acts as a guide for the dead during the state that intervenes death and the next rebirth.
he Bardo Thodol is a guide that is read aloud to the dead while they are in the state between death and reincarnation in order for them to recognize the nature of their mind and attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

The Bardo Thodol teaches that once awareness is freed from the body, it creates its own reality as one would experience in a dream. This dream occurs in various phases (bardos) in ways both wonderful and terrifying. Overwhelming peaceful and wrathful visions and deities appear. Since the deceased's awareness is in confusion of no longer being connected to a physical body, it needs help and guidance in order that enlightenment and liberation occurs. The Bardo Thodol teaches how we can attain Nirvana by recognizing the heavenly realms instead of entering into the lower realms where the cycle of birth and rebirth continue.


http://interoz.com/egypt/bkofdead.htm <<< The Egyptian Book of the Dead

Answer 4

It's an ancient Egyptian book that describes the passage of a soul to the underworld.

Answer 5

Check out the movie Evil Dead LOL ;)

Answer 6

It's pretty much the bible of ancient Kemetic religion. It is also referred to as the "book of life".

Answer 7

i cant remember the name of it but apparently its leather bound in human skin.

Answer 8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_Dead