What does ‘dedicating merit’ really do?

by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

In traditional Buddhist countries, the concept of punya has always played an important role. Usually translated as merit or even as goodness, punya represents the positive karmic results of good intentions and actions. This belief in the power of meritorious actions is perceived as an ethical force that can be directed toward any chosen object. So people set about “making merit” and rejoicing in it; the merit is then dedicated to others and thus shared. This serves as an encouragement to perform acts of goodness such as generosity and kindness. We can also rejoice in and share the goodness we see others perform.

At the start of formal practice, we take refuge in the three jewels and then, in the Mahayana traditions, we recite the bodhisattva vow and remind ourselves that we are undertaking this practice not just for our own sake but to benefit all beings. In other words, we set our spiritual GPS to the destination of enlightenment-for-the-sake-of-all. Then, at the completion of that day’s practice, we again remind ourselves of our aim by dedicating whatever goodness has been gained to the welfare and happiness of all beings — or to the whole planet and beyond. These are trainings in bodhichitta, reminders that our practice has a meaning beyond benefiting just ourselves.

Even the effort to do the practice rather than watch TV or play on the computer is a good thing, and we can feel pleased and satisfied by it, wishing to share that essential goodness with others. We can dedicate that merit whether or not we understand the mechanics of how it all works. Just do it. So much is hidden from our rational mind. Let us retain a sense of mystery and not be narrow and materialistic. The dharma goes beyond our conceptual thinking.

This is not just a “beautiful idea” but is also practical — the world is in dire need of goodness and positive energy. Thoughts have power. Prayers and aspirations have force.

Almost everyone experiences a special atmosphere when visiting sacred places such as Bodhgaya or Assisi, despite the surface chaos or commercialism. Centuries of devotion, thoughts directed to the sacred, have created a palpable spiritual energy there. Likewise, we spontaneously feel the profound sorrow and heaviness of spirit when visiting Auschwitz or Dachau. We swim in an ocean of thought forms but, like fish in water, we do not recognise our own psychic environment.

If only we could see it, we would know that the psychic pollution surrounding this planet is far denser than the physical pollution. There is so much anger, greed, jealousy, fear, and general negativity in society, all of which is further cultivated and celebrated in the media. In this darkness, we need some light. Dedicating our positive energy helps to bring balance and joyful appreciation into a seemingly hopeless situation. Drop by drop, the water jar is filled. Therefore, through the merit of this practice, may all beings be happy and free from suffering!