Today, let us learn about the relevant content of dedication, so as to make the merits of practice more complete. Then why is sharing the merits of one's practice with the public called "returning" instead of "going"?

I often hear Master admonishing people that they should dedicate their merits after practicing them. But what does "return" mean? Why “turn back”? How to "return"?

Today let us learn about the relevant content of dedication, so that the merits of practice can be more complete.

What is dedication

Buddhism often encourages us to "benefit ourselves and others", and "dedication" is an excellent way to benefit ourselves and others.

Then why is sharing the merits of one's practice with the public called "returning" instead of "going"? According to Buddhism, the root cause of all sentient beings' troubles lies in the "self-grasping" and "dharma-grasping" in their hearts. Because of these two wrong notions of persistence, they set themselves against others and pursue false goals in the process of comparing themselves with others. hapiness.

And "dedication" helps us reduce our attachments and establish the right knowledge and view of oneness with ourselves and others.

" The Sixth Patriarch's Altar Sutra " talks about "the self-nature generates all things". The heavier a person's attachment, the harder it is for him to see his self-nature. When we dedicate our merits to all sentient beings and do not " When we take the matter of "dedicating merit" to our hearts, in fact, the merits are not far away from us, but our minds are opened and our attachments are reduced, and both ourselves and others can benefit.

If practice is compared to lighting a lamp in the dark night, the dedication of merit is to light up another lamp with one lamp. This lamp will not lose any brightness, and because the lamps illuminate each other, the brightness will be brighter than before. I am willing to share all my good deeds and merits with others, and ultimately return to my own nature. This is the meaning of "hui".

-direction refers to pointing to clear objects and goals. To whom are we willing to share our merits? What goals do you hope to achieve for yourself and all sentient beings?

If you are a disciple of the Buddha, you should dedicate it to all sentient beings to quickly achieve Buddhahood, or combine it with the Dharma you have learned to make more specific dedications, such as dedicating all living beings to retribution.

If you feel unrealistic about "dedication to all sentient beings" and cannot arouse the vast bodhicitta, then you cannot omit it. You can add a separate dedication after the broad dedication.

Sometimes, a dedicatory goal will be temporarily added due to special circumstances at present. For example, if a family member is sick, you can dedicate it to their early recovery; if someone dies, you can dedicate it to their rebirth in the West.

If you can sincerely dedicate yourself to those sentient beings who have a bad relationship with you and even annoy you, it will be even more extraordinary and rare. Such dedication can resolve grievances and resolve obstacles to a certain extent.

In short, as long as you do good deeds and merit, you must not forget to dedicate this merit to the public.

Dedication may not seem to do anything practical, but it is actually a very important practice.

Bodhisattva obtains the qualifications to achieve Buddhahood in the process of saving all sentient beings. However, because of our limited abilities, we ordinary people can only help some sentient beings to the best of our ability. It is difficult to provide immediate help to a wider range of sentient beings, but we initiate " The willingness to help all sentient beings" and the willingness to share all good things are the starting point of Bodhisattva practice. The sincere dedication of each practice is an important process of generating and consolidating Bodhicitta.

Only when we have clear intentions and firm goals will we be more motivated on the path of spiritual practice and will not veer off course halfway.

How to dedicate merits

Usually after practicing, we will recite dedication verses or dedication texts to dedicate merits to ourselves, relatives, friends or sentient beings.

The Great Patriarch often advises us to have a broad mind and dedicate it to all sentient beings. However, if the habit of "greed" in the past life is still strong and we are unwilling to dedicate it to the public, we can first recite the dedication text and then add the dedication verse, gradually starting from an early age. Go big and develop your own mind.

An example is as follows:

After completing the good deeds such as chanting sutras, reciting Buddha's name, giving alms, and releasing lives, recite the dedication verse:

I hope that with this merit, I can make offerings to the Buddhas of the ten directions and spread to all sentient beings. I only hope that everyone can escape suffering and achieve happiness as soon as possible. Bodhi.

Then dedicate this merit to _____ (name of the person), praying that all the Buddhas will be kind and that dragons and gods will protect them and make them _____ (content of prayer).

You don’t have to worry too much about the writing standards when it comes to praying, as long as the meaning is expressed clearly. However, it must be noted that the content of the prayer must not harm others, and Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will not fulfill evil wishes.

There are other different versions of the commonly used devotional verses. You can choose the appropriate one to recite.

Commonly used dedication verses

Commitment verses (1)

Dharma assembly meritorious deeds,

Boundless victories and blessings are all dedicated to.

I wish to indulge all sentient beings,

and quickly go to the Buddha Land of Infinite Light.

All Buddhas in the ten directions and three times ,

All Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas.

Mahaprajnaparamita.

This dedication verse from the "Huayan Sutra" is one of the most commonly used dedication verses. You can substitute it into it according to the specific merits you have done, such as: copying sutras/chanting sutras/releasing life merits and special deeds, etc.

Dedication Verse (2)

I hope this merit will spread to all.

We and all sentient beings will achieve Buddhahood together.

This devotional verse comes from the "Lotus Sutra: Metaphor of Transforming the City". It is also a more commonly used devotional verse. It can be recited after attending Dharma gatherings, chanting sutras, worshiping Buddha, chanting Buddha's name, and reciting mantras.

Dedication Verse (3)

I wish to use this merit to benefit everything equally.

Together, we will generate bodhicitta and be reborn in a land of peace and happiness.

This dedication verse was written by master Shandao in the Tang Dynasty. It is also one of the universal dedication verses.

Dedication Verse (4)

I wish to use this merit to adorn the Buddha’s Pure Land.

Report four kinds of kindness, and go down to relieve three hardships.

If anyone sees and hears it, please arouse bodhicitta.

After completing this Sambhogakaya, we will be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss.

This verse is a commonly used devotional verse in the Pure Land Dharma. It can be recited after reciting scriptures such as " Ksitigarbha Sutra", " Medicine Master's Sutra", " Universal Door Product ", or after attending Buddhist meetings, praying for blessings, etc. This one.

Hui Xiang Gao (5)

I wish to be born in the Western Pure Land,

the nine-grade lotus as my parents.

When the flowers bloom, I see the Buddha and realize the existence of no life.

The Bodhisattva of No Retreat is my companion.

This verse is also a commonly used devotional verse in Pure Land practices and can be universally applied.

Dedication Verses (6)

May the three obstacles and troubles be eliminated,

May you gain wisdom and clarity.

I wish that all obstacles to sin will be eliminated, and

I will always walk the path of Bodhisattva from generation to generation.

After reciting each sutra, you can add this dedication verse.

Returning Verses (7)

Manjushri is brave and wise,

Samantabhadra Wisdom is also the same.

I now dedicate myself to the roots of good deeds,

follow them and practice them all the time.

The Buddhas of the three generations have praised,

This is the most superior to all great wishes.

I now dedicate myself to the roots of good deeds,

in order to obtain the extraordinary deeds of Universal Worthy.

May the world always be stable,

boundless blessings and wisdom benefit all living beings.

All sinful obstacles will be eliminated,

Be away from all suffering and return to nirvana.

This devotional verse comes from the Avatamsaka Sutra: Samantabhadra's Vows and can be recited after reciting the Manjushri Mantra, Samantabhadra's Vows and other classics.

Content source丨Guangzhou Guangxiao Temple

Image source丨Ten Wish Encyclopedia

Photography丨Danzhen Wangmu, Miao Chuan, Ghosting, Li Baohua