At the Brink of Death

The Sutra of Ksitigarbha's Vows states:
"World Honored One, when these men and women in Jambudvipa are on the verge of death, their minds are deluded and are unable to distinguish between good and evil; neither can their eyes see nor can their ears hear. Thus, the dying people's relatives must make great offerings, recite sutras, and chant the names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.  These virtuous deeds will enable the dying people to avoid the realms of suffering and disperse the evil ghosts and demons."

"World Honored One, at the time of their death, if sentient beings are able to hear the name of just one Buddha, Bodhisattva, or hear a stanza or phrase of Mahayana sutra, I observe that these beings will be liberated from minor sins that would have caused them to fall into the realms of suffering with the exception of the five sins causing one to fall into Avici hell"

地藏菩薩本願經云：
“世尊，如是閻浮提男子女人臨命終時，神識惛昧，不辨善惡，乃至眼耳更無見聞。是諸眷屬，當須設大供養，轉讀尊經，念佛菩薩名號。如是善緣，能令亡者離諸惡道，諸魔鬼神悉皆退散。”

“世尊，一切眾生臨命終時，若得聞一佛名，一菩薩名，或大乘經典，一句一偈。我觀如是輩人，除五無間殺害之罪，小小惡業，合墮惡趣者，尋即解脫。”

Make Great Offerings
Relatives and friends of the dying should prepare and present generous offerings. These can include food, incense, flowers, or other respectful gifts. The act of giving not only generates positive karma for the dying person but also creates a sacred, virtuous atmosphere that supports their mind at the moment of death.

Recite Sutras
Chanting or reading Buddhist scriptures helps focus the mind of the dying on wholesome and spiritual matters. The vibrations and meaning of the sutras can penetrate the mind even if the person is not fully conscious, guiding them away from fear, confusion, and attachment, and towards clarity and peace.

Chant the Names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Repeating the names of enlightened beings, such as a Buddha or Bodhisattva, strengthens the dying person’s connection to wisdom and compassion. Even hearing a single name can inspire faith, calm the mind, and create a virtuous condition that helps them avoid negative rebirths.

Create a Wholesome Environment
By cultivating virtuous deeds and a peaceful atmosphere around the dying, evil spirits, negative energies, or disturbing influences are dispersed. This may include keeping the room quiet, avoiding arguments or negative speech, and ensuring that everyone present maintains a mindful and respectful attitude.

Ensure Exposure to Dharma
The sutra teaches that hearing even a single verse, stanza, or phrase of a Mahayana sutra can help liberate the dying from minor sins that might otherwise lead to rebirth in the lower realms. Ensuring the person has access to Dharma teachings at this critical moment plants seeds of liberation.

Did you know?
Even when a virtuous person is at the brink of death, they are still disturbed by evil ghosts and demons trying to delude the dying?

The Sutra of Ksitigarbha's Vows states:
"[...] Even when these virtuous people of Jambudvipa are dying, hundreds to thousands of evil ghosts and demons will try to delude them.  These evil ghosts and demons will assume the forms of the dying people's parents or relatives and lead them into the realms of sufferings.  The situations will be much worse for those beings who committed evil acts." 

地藏菩薩本願經云：
“是閻浮提行善之人，臨命終時，亦有百千惡道鬼神，或變作父母，乃至諸眷屬，引接亡人，令落惡道。何況本造惡者。 ”