When we come out of meditation and we like to share the merit with our parents who has passed away, is it possible or not possible?

Question:  When we come out of meditation and we like to share the merit with our parents who has passed away, is it possible or not possible?

Than Ajahn: Well, it was never mentioned by the Buddha. He only mentioned giving dāna and giving to charity, and then you can dedicate that merit to the departed. But regarding dedicating the merit from the result of your meditation for the departed, he didn’t mention it. But you can try. There is nothing to stop you from doing it.

Layperson: But you know that sometimes the king and people go to some temples to chant, pay respect and give merits to kings who had passed away. So, it’s not impossible, right?

Than Ajahn: Well, it’s not possible and it’s not impossible because the Buddha didn’t say either way. He only said to dedicate the merit to the dead by giving dāna, by giving offerings to monks and once you’ve done that, then you have merit, so you can dedicate this merit to the people who died.

Layperson: And if they haven’t died, can we give it to them or not?

Than Ajahn: No.

Layperson: And we cannot give it from the meditation.

Than Ajahn: No, you cannot because if I can give it to you, then you don’t have to meditate, right?

Layperson: But sometimes we want to share.

Than Ajahn: I know. I think if it’s possible, the Buddha would have mentioned it. The merit that you can give is the merit that you do by charity. Maybe it’s because it’s the thing people can do readily, right away because most people won’t be able to meditate any way.

So, maybe you can if you can meditate and you can have this serenity, and you dedicate this serenity. But for the people, whether they are waiting for it and can accept it or not, it depends. It’s because nothing can stop you from dedicating whatever you have.

Layperson: No, I heard in your dhamma talk that some people asked if someone they know died, what could they do? You said truthfully, ‘Well, if they didn’t practice throughout their lives, what can you do? You just let them go. Some are auspicious. They have their own kamma.”

Than Ajahn: Yes, it’s the law of kamma, ‘Whosoever does any good or evil kamma, will receive the result of that kamma.’

Layperson: The foreigners say, ‘What goes around, comes around,’ the same thing.

Than Ajahn: Yes, the same thing. You reap what you sow.

“Dhamma in English, Aug 4th, 2017.”

By Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto
www.phrasuchart.com

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