ritual of deliverance

Deliverance is primarily aimed at the living rather than the dead. When Shakyamuni Buddha taught the Dharma, he preached it to the living, so that we use wisdom to deliver ourselves. Nonetheless, rituals for the dead can bring them merit, and on hearing the Dharma they may be able to let go and achieve deliverance, attaining rebirth to the Western Pure Land or to a better realm.