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At the start of chapter 10, Rinpoche explains what dedication is, why we do it and what the differences are between dedicating the merit, reciting wishing prayers and making aspirations and commitments. In Buddhism dedication is described as polishing the diamond, it is a way of enhancing the value and sharing the benefit of a positive action with others. If we don’t dedicate––whether it is our practice or something else, it is similar to leaving the door of the treasury open, allowing the jewels to be stolen. So when we dedicate, we accumulate virtue through our positive deeds using skilful means and we share the merit of our positive deeds for the benefit of everyone. Sealing each positive act with a prayer for the long term happiness of all beings is central to the development of the second accumulation, the Paramita of Wisdom. If this is not done, any negative act will override and negate the positive, the treasury will remain empty.
However although the teachings thus far have brought us to an understanding of the emptiness of phenomena, if the illusory appearances of subject, object and action (the three circles) are acknowledged and we dedicate with that understanding, our dedication will be perfect.
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May I give some silent comment here? Thank you Rinpoche, for explaining on dedication in these many wonderful ways. It is huge, as former President of US would probably say:). Huge, so many layers, so many opportunities….. also moving how since the time of the Buddha and of course many many kalpa’s before, already great beings and bodhisattvas have in these ways dedicated and sort of outshine the darkness of the world. I often feel that if not so many people, monasteries, churches and others prayed for peace and sanity and helped, the world would be much ‘darker’. But as you explain it is not only praying, the whole Bodhicharyvattara is also about action, behaviour, how to apply the paramitas. In a church I heard a Priest say, that a good Christian should be prepared, like Jezus to go through the most darkest places (like hell) for the benefit and out of love and compassion. It is a great commitment, for sure, like you say a Damtsik…therefore we, I’m sort of grateful you explained so well about dreamlike existence and emptiness in chapter 9. Good that you shared Patrul Rinpoche’s words on empty but it is there in an appearant, dreamlike way. Prayers for courage for all of us:) and love again, Marlou