Cattāri Brahmavihārā

The dedication of merit is often thought of as something we do for the dead and departed. However, I have lately been toying with the practice of dedicating the merit of my practice to all of the difficult people in my life. I’m not quite sure of the reason but doing so helps to brighten mind and for whatever reason reminds me that perhaps my ‘enemies” really aren’t so deserving of my resentment after all. In the end we all really do just want to be happy.

I have included three links below, all of which have something to do with anumodana and merit dedication. The first is a collection of anumodana and merit dedications which I find to be truly inspiring:

http://www.what-buddha-taught.net/anumodana_aditthana.htm

The second and third are a traditional explanations  of the meaning and significance of the dedication of merit:

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/devotion/devotion05.htm

http://www.buddhanet.net/budsas/ebud/whatbudbeliev/307.htm

So, I leave for Jamaica until the 7th but I hope to be able to maintain this blog while I’m away. If it’s not possible I’ll just have to wait until I get back. May you all be well, happy and peaceful!