But those who practice the well-taught Dhamma will cross to the other shore, overcoming the difficult realm of death.

Sammadakkhāte dhamme dhammānuvattino — those who practice the well-taught Dhamma: verses 85-86 form a unit. If 85 describes the rarity of crossing, 86 describes what makes it possible: genuine practice of the Dhamma.

Sammadakkhāte — well taught, correctly proclaimed: not everything called spiritual teaching deserves this qualification. The well-taught Dhamma leads to the diminishing of suffering, the abandonment of cravings, to peace and nibbana.

Te janā pāramessanti — those people will cross: the promise is real but conditional. It requires genuine practice, not mere intellectual adherence or religious performance.

Maccudheyyaṃ suduttaraṃ — the difficult realm of death: suduttaraṃ emphasizes the difficulty. The crossing is not easy — but it is possible for one who practices with genuineness and persistence without giving up.