Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
150 - The Meaning of the Gatha of Merit-Dedication
May the resulting merit
Be distributed to all sentient beings without discrimination.
May all of us aspire to attain perfect enlightenment,
And to be reborn in the Land of Peace and Joy.
This "Gatha of Merit-Dedication" was written by Master Shandao, and all dedications in the Pure Land school follow this verse. It clearly reveals that Amitabha Buddha, through his merits of attaining Buddhahood, proactively, equally, unconditionally, and without any barriers, dedicates these merits to all sentient beings—whether sacred or ordinary, good or evil—throughout the ten directions. This dedication inspires all beings to give rise to the aspiration for rebirth in the Land of Peace and Joy, swiftly attain Buddhahood, and widely deliver sentient beings.
Therefore, practitioners of the Pure Land school recite this Gatha of Merit-Dedication daily—after morning and evening practice, after chanting Amitabha Buddha’s Name, or after performing rituals for the deceased. They do so with the heart of "learning about the great compassion of the Buddha, believing in Amitabha, teaching others to believe, and truly repaying the Buddha’s grace." By doing this, they transfer the inconceivable compassionate power and merits of Amitabha’s deliverance to all beings; so, all may be reborn in the Pure Land, and together attain Buddhahood.
150 「迴向偈」之意
願以此功德,平等施一切,同發菩提心,往生安樂國。
此「迴向偈」是善導大師所寫,淨土宗之迴向,皆依此偈。此偈顯明阿彌陀佛將成佛之功德,主動、積極、平等、無差別、無條件、沒有門檻的迴施於十方一切聖凡善惡諸眾生,使諸眾生皆同發願生心,往生安樂國,以速成佛道,廣度諸眾生。
故淨土宗念佛人,皆以「學佛大悲心,自信教人信,真成報佛恩」之心,每日早晚課之後,或者念佛或者超薦之後,皆念此迴向偈,轉傳彌陀悲救眾生之不可思議威神功德於一切眾生,同生淨土,同成佛道。
Namo Amituofo!
