There is a traditional story, a Jataka tale, of the Buddha’s past life before he became a Buddha. While walking in the mountains he happened upon a mother tiger and her cubs. They were starving to death and about to die.

This is also why Tibetan Buddhists believe that our loved ones can offer great help. By offering prayers, mantras and other practices at this time, it helps to comfort and guide the deceased through their passing, through the post-death state, into a state of greater peace and clarity. The Vajrasattva mantra can be recited every day for forty-nine days after the person has died.