Transference of Merit in Thai Life-Crisis Ceremony

Significance and Contemporary Explanations

Abstract

The article aims to study the idea of merit transference in contemporary Thai life-crisis ceremony, using major literary pieces from the Pali scriptures as well as contemporary Buddhist merit transference ceremonies as reference. The scriptures used in the study include the Tipitaka, its commentary, Milindapanhā, Māleyyadevattheravatthu, and Maṅgalatthadīpanī, while contemporary merit transference ceremonies are conducted from the ritual texts and the explanations of eight well-known Buddhist monks. The study found that the Tipitaka contains accounts of transference of merit to deities or dead relatives; in its commentary, however, the transference of merit is regarded a part of merit making, in which the merit receiver must be informed. Merit transference in Thai Buddhist ceremonies is performed during the time that monks pray for rejoice (Anumodanākathā) and the merit-maker devotes the deed to merit-receivers.  Contemporary monks’ explanations about merit transference share both common and different features with those in the scriptures, i.e. some follow the explanations found in the scriptures, some add details based on their spiritual experience, and others deny the possibility of merit transference as a consequence of their emphasis on other teachings. These reflect the diversity of the belief about merit transference in Thai society. In general, merit transference still plays a significant role in Thai Buddhist ceremonies: it denotes a dedication of merit to dead relatives, friends, past casualties, as well as all beings in the world. As such, it may be considered as a kind of merit making which is boundless and fruitful.