Dear friends,
An interesting question Paul raised. This issue of sharing merit
initially bothered me too, but now it makes sense to me and has been
well explained here by Bhante Yuttadhammo and Nina. The one point I
would like to add to the conversation is that the term itself
"transferring merit" is confusing in English. That's why I prefer to
say "sharing of merit". When we transfer something to someone else,
we have less and they have more - as in a zero-sum game. But this is
not like that. Merit is somewhat analagous to love, when you give
love to others, you actually have more for yourself too! When you
share merit, you generate more merit for yourself too.

May you all be well,
John

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "junet9876" <junet9876@...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I've always wondered about this.
>
> First reading makes sense, but on a second reading...
> > But she said it helps to concentrate the mind on the thoughts of
> > anumodana. One can see this.
>
> helps who concentrate? If we're the ones pouring water, we're not the
> ones who are supposed to be doing the anumodana, but those beings
> we are transferring the merit to are supposed to be rejoicing
> (anumodana). The person pouring the water is transferring the merit.
>
> Correct me if I am wrong.
>
> I wonder where we can get information on all these rituals. Because
> sometimes monks don't even chant for you, they say you can transfer
> the merit yourself (just say the words)...and pour water at the same
> time.
>
> No one has ever explained it to me, so laziness takes over and I settle
> for transferring merit using just mind-power and not the vessels.
>
> Sometimes I post not knowing if I'll be here to read the replies. (My
> future is confusing)
>
> Cheers,
> June
>
> --- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "rjkjp1" <rjkjp1@...> wrote:
> >
> > A very good reply by venerable Yutthadhammo,
> > I asked Sujin Boriharnwanaket about the pouring of water - thinking
> > (like Paul)it a ritual act.
> > But she said it helps to concentrate the mind on the thoughts of
> > anumodana. One can see this.
> >
> > It is like bowing down to a Buddha image, one can do it in a ritual
> > way, but too it can be done while remembering the Buddha's virtues -
> > and then it is the outward sign of the inner kusala.
> > Robertk
> >
> > In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "Ven. Yuttadhammo" <buffer@...> wrote:
> > > > The impetus behind this request is a practice at my local
> > Buddhist
> > > > Temple. (I'm fortunate to have Wat Carolina Buddhajakra
> Vanaram
> > > > only
> > > > 20 miles or so from my home.) The practice is referred to as
> > > > "lustral
> > > > waters" and involves the pouring of water from one vessel to
> > another
> > > > as
> > > > the monks chant in Pali.