The bardo is able to read the mind of others. If a puja performed by a practitioner with impure samaya vow or in distraction, it could pose negative influence on the deceased’s mind, ending him in a lower rebirth. Therefore, Jangchog has to be conducted by a qualified Guru or Lama who can guide the deceased through the power of deep meditation to reach the Pure Land or reborn to human realm. Hence not everyone can perform Jangchog.

There are benefits even though the mind changes rapidly in the bardo state. With no physical restriction, it is much easier to attain liberation and reach Amitabha Pure Land. It is because the bardo is nature of consciousness in union of luminosity and emptiness. It is in neither physical nor material form and its passage can easily be steered by external forces. In the bardo states, the consciousness will experience life and death every seven days, for a total of seven times or 49 days

* During this period, karma may lead to reincarnation or liberation.

At the end of inner and outer dissolution (Chikhai bardo), the mind (consciouness) of the deceased will be in an unconscious state for three to four days. When awake, the mind will enter a state of Chönyi bardo and remains in the state for 49 days. During this period of time, and before the next rebirth, the biggest impact comes from the deceased’s own thoughts, his past habits and good or bad karma. Also, the conversation and thoughts of relatives accompanying him also have an impact. Without a physical shackle after death, the deceased’s thoughts changes swiftly. At this moment, the karma accumulated has powerful impact on him and any evil thought or wrong view could result in rebirth in a lower realm. For instance, if someone can be irritated easily by some sounds or things, these same cues will inflame him. If he has strong clinging to the material world, the clinging will deepen. Any of the intense emotions can lead to a rebirth in the lower realm. It is not uncommon for an individual who knows that he is dead but refuses to set off to the bardo journey. He does not want to leave the family he loves or to forgive the persons or things he hates. His attachment to the material world, and he is likely stucked in the bardo stages for many years, and ends in hungry ghost realm.

Therefore, family members should avoid any desperate feeling or destructive behavior that influences the deceased negatively and leads to his future rebirth in the lower realm. On the contrary, it can benefit the deceased by dedicating good deeds such as reciting sutras, chanting mantras, making donations, offering Jangchog to the deceased, freeing him from sufferings and attachments for the opportunity to learn Dharma.

For those who have already passed away for a long time or have been reincarnated, the puja reinforces the blessings of the Triple Gem and Bodhisattvas, enabling them to receive the merits dedicated by this family.

Performing Jangchog, can help the deceased attain self-liberation, relieving the family to accept the fact.