questions about transference of merits

somsom

is it possible to transfer merits to a particular relative that has passed by oneself if there is no sangha to do so?

Javelin

So.....out-there.

Namaste

Mani

Hi, somsom. Yes, it is possible. Not sure which particular tradition you follow (if any), but in the Mahayana tradition (Chinese in particular), practitioners will often recite the "Sutra of the Past Vows of Earthstore Bodhisattva" (or the Ksitigharba Sutra) on behalf of the deceased relative and dedicate these merits to them (often numerous times). This particular Sutra outlines this as well as other things that one can do on behalf of a deceased relative shortly after their passing. Here is a link to a good translation of this sutra...

http://http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drba.org%2Fdharma%2Fearthstore.pdf&rct=j&q=the+past+vows+of+earth+store+bodhisattva&ei=Xl8dTOSVD4P88Aa6uNS0DA&usg=AFQjCNF45y9BYwSeUiXGCGA_0_2cRQejrg

(not sure how to provide a shortened hyperlink- mods please do so if you'd like to...)

This is just one particular effective way of doing so. By all means though, if you do have access to a sangha, there may be puja's that they can do for you, which will also help them as well.

Hope this helps you.

Mani

RichardH

Mani, your hyperlink does not seem to work.

Mani

Hmmm. Oh dear.

Well, if you google "The Past Vows of Earthstore Bodhisattva", the first link, a pdf provided by drba (Dharma Realm Buddha Association) is the one.

Thanks for the heads up, Richard!

somsom

thankyou guys for your reply
they were really helpful