At the moment when the impermanent illusory body dissolves
The vessel of the organs cease and the elements transform.
May all the visions of sound, light, and rays
Spontaneously liberate in self-arising awareness.

At the moment when the impermanent illusory body dissolves
May the blessings of the kind root lama
And one’s own knowledge and meditative experience spontaneously arise.
May liberation in the non-dual state spontaneously occur.

Excerpt from the Bardo Prayer by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

Resting in Inner Refuge 

As death approaches, the practice of inner refuge offers deep and unwavering support. In the midst of uncertainty and change, it invites us to open—to rest in the natural openness of our being. This awareness becomes a source of strength and stillness, helping us meet impermanence not with fear, but with spaciousness and trust.

As a caregiver, returning to inner refuge allows the warmth of your presence to become a true offering. In the face of profound transition, the boundless openness of refuge becomes an unshakable ground—for the one who is dying and for those who accompany them.

A Circle of Support: Practices and Prayers For You and Your Loved Ones During the Dying Process

According to Tibetan spiritual traditions, living and dying are are part of a sacred continuum. This perspective invites us to recognize that every moment of change is part of a greater journey. The more we cling to possessions, roles, and fixed identities, the more we experience suffering. By softening attachment, we begin to open—to joy in life, and to peace at the time of death.

The teachings of the Bön tradition offer deep support for meeting these transitions with awareness and compassion. Whether we are navigating the shifts of daily life or the profound passage of dying, these reflections help us return to what is spacious and unchanging. In this way, death becomes not an end, but an opportunity for liberation.

Sacred Sound & Texts: Prayers & Mantras

Reciting or listening to prayers and mantras can offer profound support at the time of death, serving as a gentle reminder of one’s spiritual practice and inner refuge. The recitation offered by those caring for the dying becomes a sacred offering in itself, carrying the blessings of the lineage and supporting both the one who is dying and those accompanying them through the transition.

 
Click here to find selected prayers and recordings that you may wish to choose from, as well as any others that are personally meaningful to you.

Requesting Prayers & Rituals from Lamas

The prayers and rituals offered by our lamas carry deep blessings and spiritual support. These sacred offerings help to guide the consciousness, ease suffering, and support the deceased on their journey.

Click here for information on how to request prayers and rituals.

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