The Bardo Tsakali initiation cards are an important tool for Tibetan Buddhist monks, who use them while performing the Bardo Thodol, or The Tibet Book of the Dead. This ancient text is a guide for the deceased as they journey through the Bardo, the intermediate state between death and rebirth. According to Tibetan tradition, the Bardo is a time of great spiritual significance, and it is believed that the choices made during this time can have a profound impact on the individual's future incarnations.

The Bardo Tsakali cards are used to help guide the deceased through the Bardo, and to protect them from the wrathful deities that are said to inhabit this realm. These deities are believed to represent the negative aspects of the individual's own mind, and are thought to be capable of causing great suffering and confusion to those who encounter them.

This particular set of Bardo Tsakali cards is a digital restoration of a 15th century woodblock print that was used by monks of that time. We've preserved elements of this art's aged qualities in order to retain its richness, great antiquity, and uniqueness. You'll receive a heavyweight, giclée, acid-free print that's created to last for generations. The lightly-textured, matte finish captures fine lines and subtle colors.

• Printed using eco-friendly, water-based inks
• FSC approved or sustainably-sourced paper
• Frame and matting isn't included. Print only.
• Shipped in a damage-proof artwork tube. 
• Premium-quality (200gsm) giclée, acid-free paper

➤ DIGITAL-RESTORATION ART

We specialize in digital recreations of vintage sacred and surreal art. Each work is a handmade digital restoration of the original image, not a pixellated copy of an Internet image that some other vendors may sell. We provide high-quality, clean digital restorations — true to the original — with great attention to detail.