The Profound Practice of Universal Dedication

The Currency of the Dharma Realm

On the seventeenth of November, 2019, during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held in Australia, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered profound guidance on the tenth of the Great Vows of Samantabhadra: to dedicate all merit and virtues universally. What is it that we can truly dedicate? Both merit and blessings are present within our reach. Think of it like worldly wealth. Whether in the six realms of existence or across the ten directions, no one ever complains that they have too little. Everyone welcomes wealth with open arms, for it can fulfil our wishes. Without such resources, our aspirations are difficult to achieve. In the same way, when we possess the wealth of merit and virtue, we have the means to support all beings in their journey toward liberation.

Merit versus Blessings

There is a vital distinction between merit and blessings that every practitioner must understand. Merit arises from a state of no-mind, a state of pure, selfless action. It is like an infinite treasure of Dharma wealth; because the heart does not dwell on the act of giving, the merit is boundless and never exhausted. Conversely, blessings are often tied to the desires of the heart. When the heart has attachments and seeks specific outcomes, the blessings are limited and will eventually be depleted. Even if you perform a small act of goodness, do not let your heart dwell upon it. Do not let it become a burden or a point of pride. Instead, let it flow into the ocean of merit, where it becomes vast and immeasurable.

Expanding the Mind-Capacity

We must learn to look at the world without being caught by it. It is a matter of seeing without seeing, and not seeing while seeing. This is the essence of the practice. Universal dedication is a direct reflection of your mind-capacity. How broad is your heart? How vast is your vision? The scope of your dedication is exactly as wide as your mind-capacity. The more expansive your dedication, the more profound and complete your own spiritual harvest will be. When you can embrace all beings in your dedication, you are no longer limited by the small self.

The Path to Seeing One's True Nature

When you reach a state where emptiness and existence are seen as one, you will finally see your true nature. This is the ultimate goal of our practice. By dedicating everything to all beings, we dissolve the barriers of the ego and align ourselves with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Let your practice be as vast as the sky, and you will find that the path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is always open to you. This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo