The Lotus Garland

A commentary to the [long] Dewachen wishing prayer

by [Karma] Chagme [Rinpoche] Part 5

Fourth branch: Rejoicing

When I hear about others who have accomplished wholesome acts, like spreading the teaching of the victorious ones and erecting supports of enlightened body, speech and mind etc., I abandon all unwholesome thoughts of jealousy and rejoice in their deeds with heartfelt joy, which is said to make us progressively obtain a merit equal to theirs.

A previous Buddha together with his retinue was invited by a king for a meal. At that occasion, when he was requested to dedicate the roots of virtue, the Buddha said: "Great King, since your aspiration to perform virtuous deeds is small, the roots of virtue [of this feast] will be obtained by this old mother next to you who really rejoices."

For this reason, since it is like this, I rejoice in whatever virtuous deeds are accomplished by realised and ordinary beings.

I also rejoice in the vast activity accomplished for the benefit of beings due to developing the mind of supreme unsurpassable enlightenment.

I rejoice in giving up the ten unwholesome and performing the ten wholesome acts: the three virtuous acts with the body which are to protect the life of others, to give offerings, and to keep one’s vows; the four virtuous acts with speech which are to speak the truth, to reconcile adversaries, to speak peacefully, gently and sincerely, and to engage in conversations which are meaningful; and the four virtuous acts with the mind which are to have little desire, to cultivate love and compassion and to give up erroneous views (like for example) about acts and their consequences (karma) which make Dharma practice impossible and to practise the Dharma – in all these virtuous acts I rejoice.

Fifth branch: Requesting to turn the Wheel of Dharma

I exhort all those perfect Buddhas who dwell in all the myriad worlds of the ten directions to quickly and extensively turn the wheel of Dharma without waiting any longer. Praying like this: Please be aware of this request with your clairvoyant mind.

Sixth branch: Praying that the Buddhas may not pass beyond suffering

I supplicate all the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, holders of the teaching, and spiritual friends who intend to go beyond suffering to remain and not pass into nirvana.

Seventh branch: Dedication

As it was shown, I dedicate all my virtuous acts of the three times for the benefit of all sentient beings. Dedicating the roots of virtue in this way will multiply the virtue a hundred thousand times.