Meditation with Dedication of Merit [AUDIO]

We usually end our meditations with the following short 'Dedication of Merit':

May all beings - without limit, without end -
have a share in the merit just now made,
and in whatever other merit I have made.
May they attain liberation,
and their radiant hopes be fulfilled.

This is actually a shortened version of a longer traditional chant. In this week's meditation we discuss why we Dedicate Merit, and we use the longer version of the dedication at the end of the 30 minute meditation period.



If you wish to jump straight to the meditation period it starts 13 minutes in. The full text of the chant is given below.

Dedication of Merit 
May all beings - without limit, without end -
have a share in the merit just now made,
and in whatever other merit I have made.

Those who are dear and kind to me -
beginning with my mother and father -
whom I have seen or never seen;
and others, neutral or hostile;

beings established in the cosmos -
the three realms, the four modes of birth,
with five, one, or four aggregates -
wandering on from realm to realm:  

If they know of my dedication of merit,
may they themselves rejoice,
and if they do not know,
may the devas inform them.

By reason of their rejoicing
in my gift of merit,
may all beings always live happily,
free from animosity.
May they attain the Serene State,
and their radiant hopes be fulfilled.