Transfering spiritual merit to another person?
Philosophy · asked by user [] · 2010-11-03 · 3 answers
Hare Krishna.
In some schools of Buddhism, there is the teaching that it is possible to dedicate the merit of ones practice to someone else (although not in the sense that one could guarantee the transfer).
So, for example, it is standard advice that if during meditation one sees a ghost, one should dedicate the merit of ones practice to the ghost.
Does something similar exist in Gaudiya Vaisnavism as well? Is it a bona-fide practice that one can chant the Maha-mantra and ask that the merit be transferred to another person?
I have heard that intercessory prayers are practiced, so I would imagine a form of merit transfer would be practiced too.
Thank you for your replies.
In some schools of Buddhism, there is the teaching that it is possible to dedicate the merit of ones practice to someone else (although not in the sense that one could guarantee the transfer).
So, for example, it is standard advice that if during meditation one sees a ghost, one should dedicate the merit of ones practice to the ghost.
Does something similar exist in Gaudiya Vaisnavism as well? Is it a bona-fide practice that one can chant the Maha-mantra and ask that the merit be transferred to another person?
I have heard that intercessory prayers are practiced, so I would imagine a form of merit transfer would be practiced too.
Thank you for your replies.
user [343] · 2010-11-04
The mood of a Vaisnava Sadhak is to consider oneself always fallen and to obtain mercy, by rendering service to other Vaisnavas and to Radha Krishna, Sadhaks are not Buddhists where they look to achieve merits by dint of their own spiritual power, Sadhaks want the mercy. So how can the Sadhak transfer something they do not wish to accumulate?By performing devotional service and worship of Radha Krishna all living entities are benefited. If devotee enters a dwelling or moves into a house that has ghostly living entity, the devotee changes nothing, the devotee continues to worship Radha and Krishna and the ghost will receive benefit from hearing devotional service. Simply by becoming a devotee of Radha and Krishna all people in close proximity (friends, relatives, ghosts in your house, bats in your belfry) will be benefited.
user [170] · 2010-11-04
---------- Forwarded Message ----------Text PAMHO:18421816 (49 lines)
From: Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami
Date: 26-Oct-09 12:47 +0530
Cc: Janananda Goswami [5933]
Cc: (Krsna) Katha [14015]
Reference: Text PAMHO:18400075 by rep
Comment: Text PAMHO:18423296 by Visista (das) GKG (Vrindavan - IN)
Comment: Text PAMHO:18461196 by Caitanya-candrodaya (das) (Dublin - IE)
Subject: Re: chant for others?
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dandavats. also in HBV srila Sanatan pad mentions that one can fast for others benefits and will obtain the results 100 times if they fasted for themselves.
Remember that in 1977 when H.G. Jayananda dasa was leaving his body, when he was physically unable to chant, the devotees chanted for him, and he smiled and heard the holy names. sounds reasonable.
this is likely why in Garuda Purana saroddhara (google for english only pdf) its mentioned to have someone chanting while someone is in the dying process. this devanagari and english book takes about 4 hours to read, yet its a pleasure to read and many will find pramanams for many things from its 10 chapters. its 1988 indological book house out of print book.
On Oct 22, 2009, at 3:31 AM, rep wrote:
> How is this sloka relevant to the Maharajas question???
> ys
> ganesadasa
>
> ------------------------------
> Hare Krsna Maharaja, ___o_
>
>> It is a common pronouncement in ISKCON temples that we will no chant a
>> round for the benefit of so and so. Or I will dedicate my japa for so and
>> so. What is the validity of this. Any comments
>
> theres an evidence for transfering ones credits from the
> recitation of BG
> to others in Padma Puranas Gita Mahatmya ch. 1.
>
>
user [38] · 2010-11-03
http://omshivam.wordpress.com/sreemad-bhagvad-gita/gita-mahatmya-the-glories-of-the-bhagavad-gita-from-the-padma-purana/Re mahamantra there was a discussion on Pamho some time ago and the result was it has no known precedences and gss support.