What is Phowa or conscious dying?
Phowa means transference of the soul from the dead body to the Amitabha Buddha’s heaven (Sukhawati Chetra in Sanskrit and Dewachen ki Shingkham in Tibetan) where life can be comfortable, spiritual and peaceful. It is believed that if one can transfer one’s soul after death to that heaven, then with the very peaceful environment one will not generate negative emotions. Thus, he will not take rebirth in Samsara and suffer. It is also believed that one can attain enlightenment easily in that heaven due to peaceful environment and spiritual company. If the person has practiced the phowa while alive then he can transfer his soul by himself. But if he has not practiced the phowa, then it could be also done by an experienced master to whom the dead person has karmic connection or great devotion.
