425. The Teachings of Phra Surawat Khemachitto (Ajahn Golf)

 425.  The Teachings of Phra Surawat Khemachitto (Ajahn Golf)

Sat, 5 April 2025

《迴向功德 Dedication of Merits》

When we perform wholesome deeds and accumulate merits (puñña), we can dedicate these merits to the deceased, such as parents, relatives, and friends. These merits can be transferred to them. If we observe moral precepts (sīla) along with generosity (dāna), our dedication of merit can reach further and become greater. If we also practice meditation along with generosity, the merit becomes even more amplified and far-reaching.

When we dedicate merits, it is like sending parcel to someone. If they receive it, they can benefit from it. If they don't receive it, the merits will return to us. Therefore, we can dedicate merits without fear of loss - if they receive it, they benefit; If they don't receive it, there is no loss.

When we want to dedicate merits to others, we must first have accumulated merits ourselves. It’s like having a bank account; before we can transfer money to someone else, we first need to work and have money deposited into our account. Only then can we transfer funds to others. Similarly, before we can dedicate merits to benefit others, we must first accumulate those merits through meritorious deeds.

When dedicating merits, we should recall the wholesome deeds we have performed, then we think of the deceased we want to dedicate the merits to. For example, we think of our parents, siblings, their faces, and names, and then share the merits with them.

If our mind is calm and we dedicate with sincere intention, the merits can be transmitted more swiftly and effectively.

For example, if we want to dedicate merits to deceased parents, we can recall the generosity, moral precepts, and meditation we've practiced; by reflecting on these wholesome deeds, we visualize our parents’ faces and names, then dedicate the merits to them. Based on the conditions and circumstances, they may receive it. When dedicating merits to them, we wish that if they receive it, may they be free from all suffering. If they are already happy, may they become even happier.

The Buddha also taught that if we think of our deceased parents, those who have been kind to us or our loved ones, merely crying doesn't benefit them or ourselves. Instead, we should perform wholesome deeds and accumulate merits through the Sangha (monastic community), then dedicate these merits to them in order to truly help them.

當我們有做這個行善種福，我們是可以把這些功德迴向給已經死了的那些亡者，例如父母親戚朋友。是可以迴向給他們的。如果我們有持戒去做布施的話，我們迴向可以去到更遠更大。如果我們加上有禪修，我們做的布施有加上布施跟禪修，這就能夠更大，去到更遠。

這個就是當我們迴向功德福報過去，就好像我們寄東西，寄那些東西過去。如果他們收到的話就可以收到。如果收不到的話，那些寄出去的東西，就會回到我們自己。所以我們可以迴向功德出去。如果他們有收到的話，就可以利益到他們。他們沒有收到的話，就沒有什麼損失。

然後我們要迴向功德給別人的時候，我們先要自己有功德。就好像我們自己有銀行戶口，要匯款給別人的時候，我們先要工作，然後有錢進入那個戶口，我們才可以迴向給別人。所以當我們要迴向功德福報利益到別人，我們先要做了這個功德，種了這些福報，然後才能夠迴向到別人。

然後我們迴向功德，就是我們憶念起我們所作的善業福報，憶念起之後，我們就想起我們要迴向的亡者。比如說我們自己的父母，那些兄弟姐妹，他們的樣子，他們的名字，然後分享給他們。

然後如果我們當時的心是平靜的時候，然後我們有好好用心的話，這個福報就能快速很好地傳送過去。

就好比喻說，我們要迴向功德給那些已經不在世的父母，那好比喻說，我們這次來到做的布施，持戒，禪修；憶念起我們的布施，持戒，跟禪修，然後想起父母他們的樣子，然後把這些迴向給他們。然後他們依照因緣讓他們收到。然後我們迴向給他們，就希望，如果他們收到的話，就願他們解脫一切的苦。如果他們快樂的話，就願他們更快樂。

佛陀也是有教導。我們如果有想起我們的父母，還是對我們有恩德，我們愛的人；如果他們已經死了，他們已經不在人世的話，我們只是哭的話，是對他們和自己沒有什麼好處益處的。所以我們經過僧團去做功德福報，然後把這個福報功德迴向給他們，才幫到他們。

---Ajahn Golf 阿贊高爾夫 อาจารย์กอล์ฟ

13/12/2023 @ 菩提心园  Penang Bodhi Heart Sanctuary, George Town, Pulau Penang, Malaysia