What Does the Bardo Body Look Like?

The bardo body looks much like the deceased did while alive—similar in appearance, and it also possesses the six sense faculties, just like this five-year-old child here. There's a saying that when it walks, it moves like a fashion model on the runway, as many of you may know. It walks with that catwalk stride, circling around while walking backwards—it's a peculiar sensation to describe.

According to one tradition, in the early stages the bardo body resembles the appearance of the previous life—this applies to the bardo state between human lives. In the later stages, it begins to take on the appearance of the next life. The ordinary physical eyes of common people cannot perceive it; only beings of the same realm can see it, or those who have attained the divine eye can perceive the bardo body.

Now, if the being accumulated abundant merit through virtuous deeds, its physical form will be extraordinarily radiant, glowing like white light. Conversely, if evil deeds predominate, the form becomes dim and ashen—much evil, much darkness. For those destined to fall into the hell realms, you should know that their appearance becomes utterly hideous, their entire body pitch-black—this is the mark of one falling into hell. For those falling into the realm of hungry ghosts, as the sutras explain, their coloration resembles that of water, taking on a bluish-green hue. For those falling into the animal realm, their color is like that of smoke. For those destined to be reborn in the heavens, their features are more dignified and well-formed, with a body that takes on a golden hue. And for those destined for the form-realm heavens, the appearance is even more magnificent—brilliantly white, dazzlingly bright, these bardo bodies.

This is why some of us, particularly certain ordained masters, appear not merely with fair faces but with luminous white complexions all over—this is the result of cultivating virtuous deeds in past lives. The bardo body possesses supernatural powers; unlike us, it is not impeded by mountains, rivers, land, or walls. It can travel through space, reaching even the most distant places in an instant. Mountains and rivers pose no obstacle to it whatsoever.

Of course, we generally understand that the bardo body undergoes one life-and-death cycle every seven days, and at most must take rebirth within forty-nine days—this is the common understanding. However, this period is quite distressing. Especially during the bardo stage, a profound sense of homelessness arises deeply within the being—it has no place of refuge, no ground to rely upon. Its state of mind is therefore utterly desolate and forlorn, as if wandering alone through an endless night without any support. Its sole objective becomes the urgent search for some destination, any place to belong.

This is the state of the bardo body, which is why it is said, "At the slightest opportunity, it immediately seizes the chance to depart." The moment a suitable opening presents itself, it rushes to take rebirth without hesitation. The moment the vision of a realm appears, it is certain to be deceived, and off it goes—never to return.