AN EXCESSIVE USE OF ‘SELF-CULTIVATION’ MANTRAS/SUTRAS TO PRAY FOR WORLDLY BLESSINGS CAN BE EFFICACIOUS BUT IT WILL DEPLETE ONE’S MERITORIOUS BLESSINGS
Question: Some Buddhist practitioners recite a lot of ‘self-cultivation’ forms of the Cundi Dharani. Am I right to say that an excessive use of ‘self-cultivation’ form of the Cundi Dharani may be efficacious but it will deplete a significant amount of one’s meritorious blessings that will make it difficult for the person to transcend the six realms of rebirth upon their demise.
Answer: That’s correct and absolutely possible. Those who seek excessive worldly blessings, will expend a substantial portion of their merits. They run the risk of having an insufficient reserve of merits upon death. Many, even on their deathbed, are still praying to Bodhisattva to shower their grandchildren with blessings so that they are healthy and are good at their studies, etc., etc. Their merits will straightaway go to their grandchildren. These people may not die peacefully. This is how merit works – once transferred, it is gone for good.
Question: I see. In this case, what should I do with my completed ‘self-cultivation’ form of the Cundi Dharani?
Answer: Leave it there and keep reciting. It’s not advisable to transfer one’s entire merits to others.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session), Melbourne, Australia, 7 December 2019