Phowa — Consciousness Transference at Death
Phowa is the Vajrayana practice of training consciousness to exit through the crown of the head at death, thereby directing it toward a pure realm (Buddha-field) and ensuring a favorable rebirth or liberation.
Phowa (Tibetan: 'pho ba — transference of consciousness) is one of the Six Yogas of Naropa and one of the most practically significant Vajrayana practices — the training to consciously direct consciousness upward and out through the crown chakra (Sahasrara) at the moment of death. In ordinary death, consciousness exits through whatever chakra or body opening is energetically dominant, determining the quality of the subsequent bardo experience and rebirth. Phowa trains the practitioner to habitually direct consciousness upward, toward the Dharmakaya or toward Amitabha Buddha's pure realm (Sukhavati). The practice signs of successful Phowa practice include a small opening (brahmarandhra) at the crown of the skull, fluid discharge from the crown, and an unambiguous inner experience of consciousness rising upward. Sogyal Rinpoche's 'Tibetan Book of Living and Dying' presents Phowa in its most accessible modern form.
Train now so that at the moment of death, consciousness rises through the crown like an arrow released toward the sky.
Phowa, the transference of consciousness at death, aims the dying awareness through the crown toward a pure realm; in the Tibetan tradition it is rehearsed in advance until physical signs of readiness appear.
Bardo Thodol
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Phowa trains consciousness to leave through the crown at the moment of death, and the tradition names physical signs of successful practice: an opening at the brahmarandhra, fluid discharge at the crown. Whether or not you credit the signs, the practical point holds — this is described as a skill acquired while well, not improvised while dying.