Transfer / Dedication of merit

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PadmaVonSamba
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Transfer / Dedication of merit

Post by PadmaVonSamba »

I found this article interesting (not saying that Wikipedia is the final authority on anything) but I wonder, as far as you know, is ‘transfer of merit’ the same as ‘dedication of merit’ which is included at the end of many Buddhist rituals and which is often done at the end of meritous activity?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_of_merit?
EMPTIFUL.
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Minobu
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Re: Transfer / Dedication of merit

Post by Minobu »

PadmaVonSamba wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 12:04 am I found this article interesting (not saying that Wikipedia is the final authority on anything) but I wonder, as far as you know, is ‘transfer of merit’ the same as ‘dedication of merit’ which is included at the end of many Buddhist rituals and which is often done at the end of meritous activity?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_of_merit?
same deal as roman catholics can absolve you of your sins...in the old days it was money or sack cloth...

the high priests and their machinations eh...
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PadmaVonSamba
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Re: Transfer / Dedication of merit

Post by PadmaVonSamba »

Minobu wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:34 am
PadmaVonSamba wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 12:04 am I found this article interesting (not saying that Wikipedia is the final authority on anything) but I wonder, as far as you know, is ‘transfer of merit’ the same as ‘dedication of merit’ which is included at the end of many Buddhist rituals and which is often done at the end of meritous activity?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_of_merit?
same deal as roman catholics can absolve you of your sins...in the old days it was money or sack cloth...

the high priests and their machinations eh...
I always assumed that to dedicate the merit (from whatever Dharma-related activity one has engaged in) to all sentient beings was the customary practice in all Mahayana traditions.
Nichiren did this too, apparently:
https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/wnd-1/Content/140
…so I don’t thing the similarity with Christian history is accurate. It’s a common practice, not something somebody is charging money to do.

My question is about whether there is a difference between the ideas of “dedication” and “transference” of merit.
EMPTIFUL.
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tingdzin
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Re: Transfer / Dedication of merit

Post by tingdzin »

There is most assuredly a difference. Transfer of merit can be towards any goal : "May the merit gained from feeding these monks help me pass my final." Dedication of merit is usually a shorthand way of referring to the Mahayana practice of disowning your own merit and putting it towards a supra-personal goal.
Soma999
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Re: Transfer / Dedication of merit

Post by Soma999 »

Merits is like light. Light needs space. We dedicate to all beings and more specifically to different people. It creates space : it is not « my precious » merit, it is light energy that fill the space of selfless attention.

Then by meditating on the empty nature of merits, yourself and those you dedicate for, merits and space unites.

Is it efficient ? It is and more especially if you put consciousness in it, you really feel it and intent it.

This is not for me, this is for all, me included. It really makes the practice special.
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Minobu
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Re: Transfer / Dedication of merit

Post by Minobu »

PadmaVonSamba wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 7:52 am
Minobu wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:34 am
PadmaVonSamba wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 12:04 am I found this article interesting (not saying that Wikipedia is the final authority on anything) but I wonder, as far as you know, is ‘transfer of merit’ the same as ‘dedication of merit’ which is included at the end of many Buddhist rituals and which is often done at the end of meritous activity?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_of_merit?
same deal as roman catholics can absolve you of your sins...in the old days it was money or sack cloth...

the high priests and their machinations eh...
I always assumed that to dedicate the merit (from whatever Dharma-related activity one has engaged in) to all sentient beings was the customary practice in all Mahayana traditions.
Nichiren did this too, apparently:
https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/wnd-1/Content/140
…so I don’t thing the similarity with Christian history is accurate. It’s a common practice, not something somebody is charging money to do.

My question is about whether there is a difference between the ideas of “dedication” and “transference” of merit.
yeah it's a bad lense to look through.

When I dedicate merit it's like the practice i just did is not just for me to grow but so that i grow to help others...

thats my take on dedicating merit...

why i don't think you can actually transfer merit is ...well comes under the same heading as the Buddha cannot erase your karma cause if He could He would...
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