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In that chapter Śāntideva makes vast but much more general dedications | In that chapter Śāntideva makes vast but much more general dedications that any virtue accrued may completely dispel every single suffering of every living being. So why would there be the need to mention again the process of dedication at the end of the text? Indeed, why dedicate an entire chapter to it? Is this not unnecessary repetition? | ||
So why would there be the need to mention again the process of dedication at the end of the text? Indeed, why dedicate an entire chapter to it? Is this not unnecessary repetition? | |||
There are several reasons for this. One commentator | There are several reasons for this. One commentator, Kate Crosby, mentions that in the third chapter what is being dedicated is the merit which arises from developing aspirational bodhicitta. Whereas here in the last chapter, having worked our way through the practices which actually implement the perfections, the merit that is being dedicated is that which arises from engaged bodhicitta [LINK to glossary]. | ||
As Śāntideva himself says in the first chapter of this text: | As Śāntideva himself says in the first chapter of this text: | ||
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Just as there is a difference between having the wish to go somewhere and actually setting out along the road, so too there is a much greater difference in the positive potential which is created from just wishing that ourselves and others attain enlightenment than there is in actively entering into the practices which lead us directly on that path. | |||
Another reason is related to the structure of the six perfections. This last chapter comes at the end of an explanation of how to actively involve ourselves in each of the six perfections. So it is natural that once they are complete we take all that positive action and make sure that it is dedicated to the highest welfare. | Another reason is related to the structure of the six perfections. This last chapter comes at the end of an explanation of how to actively involve ourselves in each of the six perfections. So it is natural that once they are complete we take all that positive action and make sure that it is dedicated to the highest welfare. | ||
Also, as mentioned above, if we can dedicate our accumulated virtue with the seal of the understanding of emptiness, then . . . | |||
And finally, it is natural in the flow of our practice that the most extensive dedication would come at the end of the text. As with all of our activities, it is good to rejoice in the positive things we have done. In a worldly context we might put our feet up at the end of a day spent doing something satisfying and look back and rejoice in our efforts. In the same way, in the spiritual context where our lives are framed with the wish to be of benefit, we look back over what we have done and make sure that none of that positive potential goes to waste by making dedications. | |||
The content of the dedications is also quite different from the earlier chapters. Here in the last chapter, Śāntideva makes a series of much more specific dedications. He addresses the very particular sufferings of each of the different realms of existence and dedicates the merit he himself has accumulated, praying that those beings be immediately relieved of all those pains and experience the exact opposite of their current experience. | |||
Dedication for the hell realm beings | <h4>Dedication for the hell realm beings</h4> | ||
Śāntideva begins his dedications to others with the beings in the realm os samsara with the most intense suffering. Verses 4 to 15 make dedications for the benefit of the beings who have been reborn in the absolute terror and misory of the hell realms. Śāntideva recognizes a variety of terrible states that beings experience in these realms, and beautifully expresses his wish for their freedom from this excruciating pain: | Śāntideva begins his dedications to others with the beings in the realm os samsara with the most intense suffering. Verses 4 to 15 make dedications for the benefit of the beings who have been reborn in the absolute terror and misory of the hell realms. Śāntideva recognizes a variety of terrible states that beings experience in these realms, and beautifully expresses his wish for their freedom from this excruciating pain: | ||
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