回向文
Dedication Text
愿以此功德
May these meritorious virtues
庄严佛净土
Adorn the Buddha’s Pure Land,
上报四重恩
Repay the four weighty sources of kindness above,
下济三途苦
And relieve suffering of the three paths below.
若有见闻者
If there are those who see or hear this,
悉发菩提心
May all give rise to the Bodhi Mind,
尽此一报身
And at the end of this one retribution body,
同生极乐国
Be born in the Land of Ultimate Bliss together.
Question: Why do we practise sharing of merits by chanting the above 回向文 (Merits’ Dedication Verse)? Why should we adorn Amitabha Buddha’s Pure Land, since it is already ideally adorned by his boundless merits? Why do we need to give rise to Bodhicitta to be born in Pure Land together?
Answer: The above verse for sharing of merits happens to be the one most commonly used in Pure Land practice, though there are others too. When we practise the unsurpassable Dharma, there are merits generated, which we can then direct for the benefiting of one and all by having the thought of sharing these merits by reciting the verse. This itself is part of Dharma practice. In Pure Land practice, there is the ideal aspiration of using these merits to help oneself and others be born in Pure Land, where liberation is guaranteed.
Because of the excellence of Pure Land, we hope all can be born there. This is why we direct and ‘park’ our merits in Pure Land, to try to ‘do our bit’ in adorning Pure Land. Even though it does not really need our adornment, when we wish to adorn Pure Land with our merits, we are expressing our aspiration to deserve to be born there. Just as Pure Land was created to benefit all, we practise the Pure Land teachings to benefit all. This intention is summarised by the giving rise of Bodhicitta.
Q: Why is it that the verse seems to exclude the three upper realms? Shouldn’t they be included too? After all, asuras (demi-gods) suffer greatly from futile fighting out of jealousy against the gods, while even the gods suffer greatly when they are on the brink of death – especially when they realise they are going to fall to the lower realms. Needless to say, we humans have much suffering too. As such, why not change the line ‘and relieve the suffering of the three lower paths’ to ‘and relieve the suffering of all paths’? In this way, all beings can be benefited.
A: The three paths are the three lower realms (of hell-beings, hungry ghosts and animals), in contrast to the three upper realms (of humans, asuras and gods). However, all beings are included in other ways in this line – ‘Repay the four weighty sources of kindness’, which includes:
- Parents
(of past, present and future lives – which includes all beings) - Society or Country
(which includes humans) - Triple Gem
(which includes enlightened beings, who do not need our merits, to whom we express our great gratitude, by practising the Dharma well) - All sentient beings
(which includes beings of all realms – hell-beings, hungry ghosts, animals, humans, asuras and gods)
The three upper realms are thus already included in the verse. Generally, the ‘four weighty sources of kindness’ is taken to include the upper realms (which are more fortunate), which complements the ‘three paths’ (which are less fortunate). Together, they include all in the universe. In the practice of sharing merits, it is customary to include all beings as beneficiaries, as a practice of cultivating universal generosity and compassion. Even when we wish to share merits with specific individuals, it is best to do so after sharing with all beings (which would also include those individuals). The practice of sharing merits of all beings is meritorious in itself, creating more merits to share with more!
Q: Can there be a simplier dedication verse for those those so adept with complicated words?
A: Here is a suggestion.
回向文(白话)
(Simplified) Dedication Text
以一切功德,
利益诸众生。
今世都平安,
同生极乐国。
With all meritorious virtues,
may they benefit all sentient beings.
In this life, may all have safety and peace,
and be born in the Land Of Ultimate Bliss together.