Transfer of Merits

Week of August 29, 2004 – Transfer of Merits


Transfer of Merits is the last as well as one of the most important processes of every single practice. These transfers are meant to accomplish three objectives:

1) Detachment of Self – the merits that we accumulate from the practice are transferred out. We practice not only for the benefit of ourselves but for others as well.

2) The positive energy that we have accumulated from the practice is passed on and spreaded out so that there is more positive energy in the surrounding environment.

3) The act of transfer has merits too. There is a multiplying and domino effect in the transfer.

Our fundamental wish is for the enlightenment of all sentient beings, so that is our ultimate transfer. In addition to that transfer, if we have particular wishes, we may transfer the merits to those specifically, e.g., for the health of our loved ones or for our kids to do well in school. Thus we may do a particular transfer then a general/universal transfer.

The wording that we use after our meditation class is:

We pray:
For the flourishing of Buddha Dharma,
For peace in the world,
For the joy and contentment of all people,
For the freedom and ease of body and mind.
May sentient beings depart from suffering.
May the vows of the donors be fulfilled.


Another widely used wording of transfer from the Avatamsaka Sutra:

The supreme and endless blessings from Samantabhadra's deeds,
I now universally transfer.
May every living being, drowning and adrift,
Soon return to the Land of Limitless Light!