Dear friends near and far,
As always, I hope this message finds you well, healthy and happy. On today’s Guru Rinpoche day, I would like to share with you some reflections on how to best dedicate your merit, or auspicious conditions.
We all know that we should dedicate merit after every practice session, and even after every virtuous action; this is very important. We also know we should dedicate in the manner of the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the past, which is why we recite the dedication verses starting with “Just as the bodhisattva Manjushri…” and “Just as all the victorious buddhas of past, present, and future…” But how exactly did they make dedications, and what is that we are emulating?
In essence, there are five dedications which we should perform, and which are summarized in the following verse:
I dedicate this as offering clouds to all the buddhas.
I dedicate this so the buddha’s teachings may spread and flourish.
I dedicate this to extend the lives and activities of the doctrine holders.
I dedicate this to peace and happiness throughout the world.
I dedicate this to the enlightenment of all beings.
Thus, whatever merit, or auspicious conditions, we gather, we should offer in the form of offering clouds to all buddhas. These offerings, we make for the sake of the Dharma, that it may be propagated; for the sake of all the holders of the teachings, or Dharma teachers and practitioners, that they may live long and their activities may flourish; for the sake of peace and happiness in the world; and for the enlightenment of all beings. These are the five key dedications we should make every time we create even a drop of merit.
Therefore, please reflect on these, and keep them in mind in your practice and throughout your days, as you gather the auspicious conditions that will lead to your awakening.
With all my love and prayers,
Sarva Mangalam.
Phakchok Rinpoche
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