49-Day Prayers for the DeceasedTergar Asia 亞洲德噶

49-Day Prayers for the Deceased

Purpose of the Prayers

Prayer rituals are conducted to help the deceased navigate the bardo state. They have the benefit of purifying negativities and obscurations to guide the deceased to rebirth in a pure realm or in a higher realm.

What and How Prayers are Performed

When requested, the prayers will be performed at Tergar Osel Ling Monastery by a group of 10 monastic members, led by a monk who has completed the traditional three-year retreat.

Phowa and seven sets of prayers will be performed over 49 days, one every seven days. Please refer to the table below for a list of the specific rituals performed.

In addition, we will arrange for the following offerings and prayers to accumulate merit for the deceased:

Offering of monastic robes, 108 lamps, flowers and fruit at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India

Monks from Tergar Monastery in Bodhgaya will offer prayers under the Bodhgaya Bodhi Tree

Offering of 108 lamps, flowers and fruit at the Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal

Monks from Tergar Osel Ling Monastery will offer prayers at the Swayambhunath Stupa

Offering of 108 lamps, flowers and fruit at Tergar Osel Ling Monastery for 49 days

Offering to the monks who conducted the prayers

Time	Ritual Type	Purpose and Benefits
Within the first week	Transference of Consciousness (Phowa)	When transference of consciousness is successful, one attains enlightenment without entering the intermediate state (bardo). If not, then there is still the benefit that one will be reborn in a genuine pure realm, or otherwise be able to attain a good rebirth. Generally, it is said the transference of consciousness is a forceful means for liberation for even those with great negativities.
7th day	Avalokiteshvara Inscription Ritual to Empty Samsara	At the time of death in the intermediate state (bardo) it has the benefit of purifying negativities and obscurations, dispelling the fear and suffering of the intermediate state, leading to rebirth in a pure realm or being reborn in a higher realm.
14th day	Amitabha Inscription Ritual	At the time of death in the intermediate state (bardo), it has the benefit of purifying negativities and obscurations, dispelling the fear and suffering of the intermediate state, leading to rebirth in the Sukhavati pure realm or being reborn in a higher realm.
21st day	Aksobhya Inscription Ritual	At the time of death in the intermediate state (bardo), it has the benefit of purifying negativities and obscurations, dispelling the fear and suffering of the intermediate state, leading to rebirth in the Eastern Abhirati pure realm or being reborn in a higher realm.
28th day	Vajrasattva Inscription Ritual	It has the benefit of leading to rebirth in a pure realm, being reborn in a higher realm, encountering the dharma in future lives, meeting with good friends, and preventing one from engaging in negative acts.
35th day	Inscription Ritual to Empty the Lower Realms	It has the benefit of preventing one from being reborn in the lower realms, to help one be reborn in a pure realm, attain the form of a being in a higher realm, and making one’s life meaningful.
42nd day	Inscription Ritual of Samantabhadra’s Heart Essence	It has the benefit of preventing one from being reborn in the lower realms, helping one to see the nature of mind during the intermediate state (bardo), being reborn in a pure realm, and attaining a perfect rebirth with the freedoms and advantages.
49th day (final day)	Inscription Ritual and Aspiration of the Three Deities to Purify the Lower Realms (The most suitable of the three will be practiced)	It has the benefit of helping one to encounter the sacred dharma in future lives, meet with good friends, and preventing one from engaging in negative acts. It helps one to gradually attain the state of a buddha.

How to Request for the Prayers?

Please fill in the form as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made promptly.

The donation amount for the full 49-day prayers is HK$10,000. You may also request for individual prayer rituals, at the donation amount of HK$1,000 for each ritual.

In the request form, you will be asked to provide:

The name of the deceased

The date and place of death

A photo of the deceased

All information must be in English. Please get this ready before filling in the form.

Request Prayers for the Deceased