พระอาจารย์อธิบายว่าการบอกบุญแก่ผู้มีชีวิตควรบอกด้วยความบริสุทธิ์ใจในช่วงที่เขาสบายใจ อธิบายรายละเอียดให้ซาบซึ้ง ส่วนผู้ล่วงลับให้อาศัยครูบาอาจารย์นำบุญไปให้ และผู้ที่ยังไม่เข้าใจวัดก็เพียงเล่าถึงความดีที่ทำโดยไม่ต้องระบุชื่อวัดThe teacher explains that sharing news of merit with the living should be done sincerely, at a time when they are at ease, describing the details vividly enough to move them. For the deceased, we rely on our teachers to carry the merit to them, and for those unfamiliar with temple practice, simply describing the good deeds without naming the temple avoids giving unwholesomeness a foothold for criticism.
A lay follower asked: when making merit and dedicating it by name to parents and family — some still living, some already deceased — how should this be done so that everyone receives the full benefit? And for those who don't yet understand temple practice, how can they be helped to receive merit too?
Sharing Merit With the Living
The teacher explained that when we dedicate the merit we've made so that others can share in it, in the future, when that merit bears fruit, those people come to share in our resources too, as if becoming our own attendants. To help them genuinely receive merit, their own wholesome mind must be able to arise. For those still living, don't share the news while they're in a troubled mood or possessed by unwholesomeness — wait until they're at ease, then gently tell them, explaining in detail what we did that day and how fulfilled we felt, conveying that feeling to them directly. The more moved and joyful they become alongside us, the more the stream of merit flows through both of us together. Don't describe it only superficially — explain the substance sincerely and with genuine feeling. The longer we explain, and the more people we tell, the greater that shared moment of and liberation becomes for both us and them.
Dedicating Merit to the Deceased
For those who have already passed away, some realms cannot receive the benefit of merit directly, so we must rely on our teachers — the great preceptors — to carry that merit to them. We bring to mind our revered senior teachers and ask them to carry this merit to our parents, siblings, and relatives.
Sharing Merit With Those Who Don't Understand Temple Practice
For those unfamiliar with temple practice, it's best not to name the specific temple, since this can become a point that unwholesomeness seizes on to criticize and find fault. Simply say that we went and did something good, then explain what benefit came from giving, keeping precepts, and meditating — without naming the temple — so there's no opening for unwholesomeness to interfere in their mind.
Handling Someone Who Doesn't Believe in Merit
A follow-up question asked what to do if someone with a strong ego argues back, saying that rejoicing in merit brings them nothing at all. The teacher advised that when faced with such objections, we need to find ways to explain further: merit is the goodness of mind that we offer to someone whose heart is likewise good; merit is the pure energy and that arises when we perform good deeds. This energy flows in to drive the system of wholesome , purifying our elemental nature and bringing prosperity to our life. This is common sense that everyone can accept — everyone wants their children to do good, because they know it leads to a prosperous future. Merit is, in truth, exactly what lies behind all happiness and success.