Seven Meritorious Practices in Buddism

Buddhism is a religion known from the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha. Around 2,500 years ago Shakyamuni taught a way to end suffering. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of the most popular spiritual leaders of Tibetan Buddhism and is Tibet's Head of State. On December 10th, 1989 Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama, was awarded the Noble Peace Prize. He is known as the first Lama to bring Buddhism to the West. The 14th Dalai Lama advises seven meritorious practices to enhance your daily living.

To intensify your compassion taking homage in the three jewels is necessary. The three jewels are the Buddhas, the Dharma, and the Sangha. As a meditation practice imagine Shakyamuni Buddha surrounded by many other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Pay homage to the heavenly beings with your body, speech, and mind. Placing palms together show your respect and say, "Homage to Shakyamuni Buddha and Bodhisattvas." Many Buddhist bow touching their forehead to the ground similar to the way Muslims pray.

Offering fruit, candles, incense, or any vegetarian food produces merit. Imagine everything that might be suitable to be offered including your body, resources, and your own virtue. Offering these items in their entirety to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will generate generosity within you.

In Buddhism time is beginingless, so we are responsible for countless ill deeds of body, speech, and mind. In the spirit of full disclosure developing regret for having done these acts and the intention to abstain from repeating bad habits will have positive effects. Think, "From the bottom of my heart, I disclose to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas the ill deeds that I have done." This act will purify the bad deeds through regret.

Having admiration from the depths of your heart toward yourself and others creates the opportunity to practice altruism. Practicing altruism will help you avoid becoming jealous of the good deeds of others, or being competitive with them. The Buddha says, "There is nothing more worthy than the virtue of selflessness. Selflessness unites people. It is a healing herb that unifies strangers and brings families together. It is the love for others that is higher than self-love; It is our only hope."

Asking the Buddhas who have become completely enlightened, but have not engaged in teaching yet is a good idea. Praying to the Buddhas to teach on the behalf of all who suffer will create compassion. As there are numberless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas asking all of them to teach can unlock many paths to salvation.

Pray to the Buddhas not to pass away. This specific request will allow Buddhas to know that they are needed and help us. Buddhas who have taught and are nearing to pass away may think it's ok for them to go beyond enlightenment, but we must request them to stay.

The last step in the seven meritous practices is dedication. Merits should be dedicated to your practice not to temporary happiness. Think, "May these acts help me attain full and perfect enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings." Then imagine the entire world system filling with white light that purifies everything. This special offering nourishes compassion by offering all things purity.

The Buddha states, "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world." Positive thinking can stop your suffering and offer salvation to all sentient beings. Merit creates favorable karma which leads to a higher rebirth. A higher rebirth leads to a better way to practice Buddhism and become enlightened. As wishing to be born in Amitabha's Pure Land at the end of this life will cause a favorable rebirth, so you can learn the Dharma becoming a Buddha in one lifetime.

Source: How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life by H.H. the Dalai Lama