A “Little Death”: The Near-Death Experience and Tibetan Delogs

In Tibetan culture, a phenomenon similar to near-death experiences has been identified, distinct from the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Anthropologists have documented accounts of contemporary and historical individuals called delogs, who appear dead for hours or days, then spontaneously revive and recount detailed journeys through otherworldly Buddhist landscapes. Their narratives emphasize moral and spiritual teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. These delogs serve as a bridge between modern near-death experiences and ancient shamanic practices.

Study at a glance

Abstract

A phenomenon remarkably like the near-death experience has been uncovered in Tibetan culture, aside from the so-called Tibetan Book of the Dead (Thurman, 1994). Anthropologists have gathered accounts of contemporary and historical cases of remarkable people called delogs. Seemingly dead for several hours or days, these people revive spontaneously and tell detailed accounts of otherworldly journeys. Their journey accounts contain elaborate versions of Buddhist otherworldly landscapes and characters, emphasizing the moral and spiritual teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. These delogs are a bridge between contemporary near-death experiences and ancient shamanic practices.