The Direct and Unmistaken Method

By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche

This book is a practical guide to the eight Mahayana precepts. It explains the benefits of the vows and the meaning of the ceremony for receiving them, and for easy reference contains the ceremony itself, written out clearly for regular use.

Merits Dedication
by
His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama

 
Reading about the Eight Mahayana Precepts, observing them or even rejoicing when others observe such a practice creates great positive potential in our minds. In order that this [positive potential] be of greatest benefit to us and to others, it is very helpful to dedicate it following the example of the bodhisattva Shantideva.

May all beings everywhere
Plagued by sufferings of body and mind
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits.

May no living creature suffer,
Commit evil or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled,
With a mind weighed down by depression.

May the blind see forms,
And the deaf hear sounds.
May those whose bodies are worn with toil
Be restored on finding repose.

May the naked find clothing,
The hungry find food;
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.

May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy;
May the forlorn find hope,
Constant happiness and prosperity.

May there be timely rains
And bountiful harvests;
May all medicine be effective
And wholesome prayers bear fruit.

May all who are sick and ill
Quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world,
May they never occur again.

May the frightened cease to be afraid
And those bound be freed;
May the powerless find power
And may people think of benefiting each other.