"Why do we send merit to all sentient beings after chanting, meditating and/or doing charity work?"

In Buddhism, it is customary to dedicate the positive energy, or “merit,” cultivated through practice for the benefit of all sentient beings. This dedication of merit is usually performed at the end of chanting, meditation, Dharma study, and/or charitable activities. Essentially, it is an act of sharing the positive karma we have cultivated with others. By dedicating merit, we cultivate compassion and generosity, choosing not to keep the benefits of practice or good deeds for ourselves alone. Regardless of whether our chanting, meditation, or charitable actions are long or short, large or small, any positive energy we generate can be dedicated for the benefit of all beings.

The benefit of dedicating merit lies in developing and nurturing compassion. It fosters a sense of connection and aspiration, while encouraging the desire to benefit both oneself and others simultaneously. By extending the positive effects of sharing merit through our thoughts and actions, we enrich ourselves while also supporting the well-being of others. By dedicating merit, we encourage ourselves and others to continue practicing wholesome actions, trusting that our efforts will contribute to a greater good. Sharing merit is the act of practicing non-attachment, encouraging letting go of self-centered interests, while cultivating the mindset of generosity and altruism.

This is an important aspect of spiritual development. By dedicating the merit, we create or the positive karma we accumulate to the benefit of others, we nurture compassion and wisdom, which ultimately guide us toward enlightenment.

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