An account by the Terton Jatson Nyingpo about his mother
At the same time I heard that my mother was dying, so I went to her; she died with her head pillowed in my lap. I performed the ejection of consciousness (phowa) and recited dedications and aspirations. I placed a liberation-through-wearing yantra on her body and placed samaya substances in her mouth. I cremated her myself. For seven weeks I dedicated virtue to her.
During those weeks I repeatedly met her in dreams; I would say to her, "Meditate on Chenrezig. Repeat the Mani mantra. Let your mind rest naturally, without alteration." During the first week she replied, "That is not easy; I don't trust myself. My awareness is vague and indistinct; it has no stability. I have seen no happiness in this world, only suffering. My son, do whatever you can to help me!"
During the second week I dreamed that she was as real as when alive. I taught her Dharma to clarify the bardo state as before, and she replied, "Oh father! Oh mother! I had no idea the bardo was going to be like this! All the people who don't practice Dharma during their lives are foolish, foolish! Guru! Three jewels! When I look up I see penetrating light rays and hear empty sound. When I look down I am terrified and hear wails of agony. I have no control over what I do now. Please keep trying to help me!"
I offered a lot of butter lamps, enlisted the help of the Three Jewels, and made burnt offerings including samaya substances; my mother was reborn as an animal.
Having witnessed what she had gone through I realized how much good I was doing myself by practicing Dharma. I wrote many songs then out of sadness. I repeatedly sponsored tea service for all those staying at softwater spring; distributed grain, salt, and butter, and gave them whatever ragged clothing I had to give; gave barley meal and other food to starving villagers; protected the area from blights and hail; caused rainfall; prevented sickness and epidemics; protected the area from predators; gave medicine to the sick; gave yantras for eating and wearing to those who mistook their own thoughts to be demons; gave authorizations and blessings; and banished obstructors. With the best intentions, I really did whatever I could to help everyone in the area.
(Note: Jatson Nyingpo was a famous treasure revealer who revealed the Konchok Chidu cycle. He did confined retreat for 17 years and was the Guru to the 10th Karmapa amongst other great masters.)
