Bardo tower, with images from the Tibetan Book of the Dead

According to the Bardo Thodol, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, between death and rebirth the soul makes a journey lasting seven weeks, a period called Bardo. A monk recites the itinerary in an attempt to provide comfort to dying persons.
For the first four days, the deceased is still aware of reality, but is no longer able to act. Then, for 14 days, the deceased encounters 58 terrifying and 42 peaceful gods. Afterwards, during the next 31 days, the deceased sees a white light and the world into which he or she will be reborn.