MERIT BOX PROJECT

The Merit Box enables you to contribute to many FPMT projects and funds initiated by Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche. Through the kindness of our guru, we have been given the chance to create enormous merit in a relatively short time. By making the commitment to contribute regularly, and by performing the generosity practice explained below, we are directly fulfilling our guru's wishes, as well as collecting countless merits. If you would like to take part in this project, you may collect a Merit Box from our Centre and start practising generosity everyday! The Merit Box can be returned to us anytime before 18 December 2003.

BEFORE YOU MAKE A DONATION
I now clear my mind and imagine that I am surrounded by numberless suffering sentient beings of the six realms in human form. I feel that they have been suffering incredibly since beginningless time, continuously thrown back into samsaric existence in life after life due to their attachment and grasping to existence - exactly like myself.

I contemplate deeply that my own suffering and that of all the suffering around me is due only to my grasping at inherent existence, which in turn produces all mental afflictions. That, in turn, produces karma.

I remember how kind my guru has been to introduce me to the holy Dharma, opening the way to be free from samsara. I clearly recall the far-reaching nature of his actions: he not only constantly working to benefit me, but also numberless other sentient beings. I rejoice in the incredible beneficial and dedicated actions of my guru.

Keeping this in mind I imagine in the space in front of me my own guru who is in essence the fully awakened Buddha, in the form of Lama Tsong Khapa (or whatever deity I am practising).

At this point I generate a heart completely full of joy that I am being guided by such an incredible being such as my guru and now have the incredible privilege to fulfil his holy wishes by making a contribution to his far-reaching activities.

NOW PLACE THE CONTRIBUTION
(If you can, imagine that you are not just offering physical money, but limitless skies of the most precious substances that fulfil the wishes of all suffering beings).

My guru is very pleased and sends forth a rain of wisdom nectar that purifies all my obscurations to enlightenment. The beings that surround me are also completely satisfied and purified. I feel overwhelmingly happy that I have made offerings to my guru and have contributed to the fulfilment of his holy wishes, and therefore, have created an incredible amount of merit.

DEDICATION
I dedicate these merits that in all my future lives I may never be separated from the extremely kind and pure guru, who is the foundation of all good qualities and the only cause of my realizations along the path to enlightenment. Through this may I attain the ultimate state of Guru Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings.

The above practice is taken from Merit Box Project prepared by FPMT International Office.