transference of merit

The practice of transference of merit is a natural and logical development of a fundamental principle of the Path of the Bodhisattva: one uses the benefits that karmically accrue to oneself to benefit others. Transfer of merit means transferring one’s own merit to others so that they may benefit from it.

Commentary

“What does it mean to bring forth a Bodhisattva’s mind of transference?

“1) He makes transference from himself to others. He transfers his merit and virtue as a universal gift to all living beings in the Dharma Realm. He dedicates it to all living beings. If you can have All-Wisdom, then you may be able to see the Buddha. But if you have All-Wisdom, then you should make a vow to use it to make transference to all living beings so that they too will be able to attain All-Wisdom. You should make transference from yourself to them.
“2) He makes transference from the cause to the effect. In the future everyone will obtain the fruit of Buddhahood. Now we are cultivating at the level of planting causes. The aim of this transference is to help living beings throughout the Dharma Realm realize the Buddha Way together.
“3) He makes transference of the specifics to the principle. We want to dedicate all our specific practices to the still, unsurpassed, and pure substance of all Buddhas.
“4) He makes transference from the small to the great. At present the measure of our minds and thoughts is very small. We must make a vow that our minds will pervade the Dharma Realm, fill empty space, and include the ten thousand things... There are all kinds of transference.” (FAS Ch9 27)

Chinese Terms

迴向