Q1: How is merit transfer different from the blessings we give to others in our everyday life?

What does the term "transfer of merit" mean in Buddhism? How is it different from mere blessings or making vows? Through this Q&A, let us clarify some concepts about the transfer of merit, in order to deepen our understanding of the various aspects and practice of this act.

The term "blessings" originally refers to asking the gods or deities for good fortune. Nowadays, however, it means to hope for others to receive such good fortunes or karmic blessings. Thus, to transfer merit means to "share", or, simply put, to share the karmic blessings we receive with others. Therefore, there are major differences between these two concepts, even though these terms are interchangeable.

There is, indeed, an even more profound meaning to the transfer of merit. To Buddhists, the act of merit transfer constitutes a kind of practice, which aims to fulfill oneself by benefiting others. A good example of benefiting others would be the act of transferring the merit of our charitable contributions to all sentient beings. The moment the thought of "sharing our merit with everyone" arises in our mind, we are practicing the act of letting go. Pure compassion manifests when one tries to transfer his or her merit to all sentient beings, with the aim of allowing them to feel joyous. Is it not pure wisdom when we try to eradicate our self-attachment and free ourselves from affliction? Though the transfer of merit may seem simple, in terms of self-cultivation, it remains to be the essence of Buddhism.


Extended reading:

Transfer of Merit –The Practice of Generating a Great Mind

The Transfer of Merit: the Giving of Dharma that could be Practiced at any Time

What Buddhist Scriptures Reveal about the Evolution of Merit Transfer

Dedicating the merit for attainment of nirvana is superior to praying for karmic blessing in the human and heavenly realms

To practice the Buddhist teaching is to transfer merit in its true sense

Compassionately delivering sentient beings, dedicating the merit for supreme Bodhi

Dedication verses commonly seen in the Chinese Buddhist tradition

Tibetan Buddhism: The most sublime chapter on the Practices and Vows of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra

Q1: How is merit transfer different from the blessings we give to others in our everyday life?

Q2: Must we first accumulate merit before we can transfer it to others?

Q3: Would it matter if I don't transfer merits after chanting?

Q4: When we transfer the merit generated from self-cultivation to our family, friends, and deceased loved ones, can they really receive it?

Q5: Should we still transfer merit to specific people after we have already transferred it to all sentient beings in the Dharma realm?

Q6: The terms "making vows" and "transfer of merit" are often used alongside each other in Mahayana Buddhist scriptures. What are the differences between them?

Q7: Are there corresponding dedication verses for different Dharma methods? Can these dedication verses be used interchangeably?


Resource: Humanity Magazine Issue #413
Translation: Ariel Shen 
Editing: Keith Brown, Freya Chang