Dedication Of Merit Shantideva

This is part of the 10th Chapter of "A Bodhisattva's Way of Life" by Shantideva, written around 700AD. It is one of H.H., the 14th Dalai Lama's favorite dedications. It is often recited at the end of a meditation session to dedicate the merit accumulated during meditation to all beings everywhere. I find it most beautiful and it speaks to me deeply. It always warms my heart to say these words. I too find it the most wonderful of dedications. The book is also known as the Bodhicharyavatara.

Transcript

The following is a portion of chapter 10 of a guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life by Shantideva.

It was written in around 700 AD and is one of the Dalai Lama's favorite dedications.

May all beings everywhere,

Plagued by sufferings of body and mind,

Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy by virtue of my merits.

May no living creature suffer,

Commit evil,

Or ever fall ill.

May no one be afraid or belittled with a mind weighed down by depression.

May the blind see forms and the deaf hear sounds.

May those whose bodies are worn with toil be restored on finding repose.

May the naked find clothing,

The hungry find food.

May the thirsty find water and delicious drinks.

May the poor find wealth,

Those weak with sorrow find joy.

May the hopeless find hope,

Constant happiness,

And prosperity.

May there be timely rains and bountiful harvests.

May all the medicines be effective and wholesome prayers bear fruit.

May all who are sick and ill quickly be freed from their ailments.

Whatever diseases there are in the world,

May they never occur again.

May the frightened cease to be afraid and those bound be freed.

May the powerless find power and the people think of benefiting each other.

For as long as space remains,

For as long as sentient beings remain,

Until then may I too remain.

To dispel the miseries of the world.

Reviews

This prayer is my idea of heaven . Thank you 🙏🪷I am learning wonderful wisdom and practices on insight timer. Namaste 🌺

Thank you, this brought the tears to my eyes, but in a good way. May you always be well, peaceful, cared for and at ease.

Beautiful

Thank you for sharing this dedication of merit. I like to use/listen to it after my meditation.

As relevant now as it ever was. Thank you.

Absolutely beautiful!

Very inspirational

Thankyou for reciting this profoundly inspiring dedication 🌿🙏💫

That was so beautiful and profound.
This has come to me often after and during Metta Bavvna.

May all beings be healthy , joyful, peaceful, liberated.

Namaste 🙏🌱✨