Traditionally, the 100 Peaceful and Wrathful Deities Liturgy or Ceremony is done when a lay person passes away.
What is Shi Tro?
100 Deities is called “Shi Thro” in Tibetan. Shi means ‘peaceful’, thro means ‘wrathful’. It is a shortcut name for the complete title of this liturgy, about the peaceful and wrathful Deities.
The prayer’s main focus are the 100 Peaceful and Wrathful Buddhas. There are 42 Peaceful Buddhas and 58 Wrathful Buddhas. All these Buddhas come from Vajrasattva, the white Buddha holding a bell and dorje. Vajrasattva is called the ‘father of all the Buddhas families’.
(Vajrasattva’s mantra is called the 100-syllable mantra. Each of these 100 Buddhas is said to comprise one syllable in the 100-syllable mantra).
Why pray it?
The Shi Thro prayer is actually a profound practice for living people, so that they become familiar with the 100 Peaceful and Wrathful Buddhas when they are still alive. Practitioners do short and long retreats on the 100 Peaceful and Wrathful Buddhas to familiarize and ‘be closer’ with them.
Actually, the 100 Buddhas are never separate from our body, speech and mind. According to the highest teachings, they reside in our bodies, senses and mind.
However, it has become customary to hold this prayer for the recently deceased. This is done as a reminder for their consciousness to behold the 100 Buddhas, as they undergo the state of dying and rebirth.
This is when most living people encounter the Shi Thro Liturgy when it is conducted by the monks. But it is not for the dead person only. It is better if we practice it while still alive.
From the day of passing, up to 49 days later, we do the Shi Thro liturgy. During this 49-day period, we believe that the consciousness has not taken rebirth. Therefore, we do the prayer to guide the consciousness to take a better and more fortunate rebirth.
When do we do it?
When a loved one passes away, this is counted as the first day. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 35th, 42nd and 49th days, we conduct the Shi Thro liturgy. During this time, we may also read or chant some texts like the Bardo Thodol (Tib: Liberation upon hearing during the intermediate state).
In total, 8 days. Why these specific days? Basically, these 8 days represent a change in situation for the deceased, as the mind goes through the different stages of Bardo.
On the 50th day, for most wandering consciounsesses, they will already find a rebirth.
Sur: An Accompanying Rite
This prayer ceremony may be accompanied by a “sur” burning offering held afterwards. (READ: Sur Rite)
During the ‘Sur’ rite, many ‘clean’ and ‘pure’ substances are burned, such as oil, honey, wheat, dried nuts and wine. These food and drinks are burned. The smell of these burned food and drinks is dedicated for wandering beings. It will quench their hunger and thirst. They will also like to listen to the truth of the Buddha’s teachings more.
What does this have to do with our dearly departed? We dedicate the merit accumulated in Sur for the deceased person. For purification of Karma and better rebirth.
Conclusion
Shi Thro is a very powerful liturgy. It is usually conducted when someone passes away. Actually, it was written for living people to practice. The more a living person practices the Shi Thro, the better for him or her.
We conduct the liturgy for the recently deceased, because it is a powerful liturgy to guide and assist the consciousness through the terrifying state of the Bardo. It is done before the consciousness finds the next rebirth.
Sur may accompany the Shi Thro liturgy. It is for the other uncountable beings transmigrating also. The smell of the burned offering from Sur gives relief, dissipates hunger and quenches thirst of all these beings.
Then, they will be more receptive to the Buddha’s words. That will settle their minds and give them profound stability and calm.