UtidSuan-guson – The Dedication of Merits

This katha, a method of dedicating merits, may be used to cleanse the spiritual energy of a space, or to mitigate the occurrence of recurring nightmares. It can also be performed to dedicate merits to your loved ones. For example, after offering alms to monks, we will perform UtidSuan-guson

. It is a method of projecting universal compassion, dedicating and sharing the merits you have accumulated through virtuous deeds, to any and all beings everywhere.

There are 2 katha used in UtidSuan-guson;

1) Bot PaeMetta Tua Pai. Prepare two cups, one filled with water, and the other without. As you chant, transfer all the water from one cup to another. After completing the recitation, pour the water onto the soil at the roots of a tree.
You may also just recite the katha on its own, without undertaking this ceremony.

Katha for Bot Paemetta Tua Pai

Namo Tassa Pakawatoh Arahatoh Sammasamputtasa – 3x

Suppe sattah a way rah hontu
Apaya padcha hontu
A nee kah hontu
Sukhee attanang pariha rantu

2) Bot Pae Suan-guson. The ceremony is similar to the one described above, but accompanied by a longer katha..

Katha for Bot Pae Suan-guson
Namo Tassa Pakawatoh Arahatoh Sammasamputtasa – 3x
Ei tang may matahpitunang hotu sukhitah hotu Matapitalo
Ei tang may yatinang hotu sukhita hotu ya ta yo
Ei tang may kurupachayajariyanang hotu sukhita hotu kuru padchayachariya
Ei tang suppa tewa tanang hotu sukhita hotu suppetewa
Ei tang suppapetanang hotu sukhita hotu suppe peta
Ei tang suppawayreenang hotu sukhita hotu suppewayree
Ei tang suppasattanang hotu sukhita hotu suppesatta

The process of transferring water from a pitcher to another empty cup holds great symbolism. The flowing of water from the pitcher (the giver) to the cup (the receiver) is symbolic of the meritorious actions of the doer being transferred to an individual in need of it. Water is used to represent the giving of life, and the alleviation of suffering, like cool water quenching burning thirst. As the water fills the empty cup, the receiver is filled with joy and happiness. The water from the cup is then brought to the roots of a tree and poured into the soil. This gesture also holds a lot of spiritual significance.

As Siddhartha Gautama sat in meditation, Mara brought his most beautiful daughters, Desire, Lust and Aversion, to seduce Siddhartha. However Siddhartha remained unmoved. Enraged, Mara sent his demonic armies to attack him, but Siddhartha was unharmed as their weapons turned into flower petals before they were able to harm him.

Mara then attempted to manipulate Siddhartha by appealing to his compassion and sense of duty. He urged him to return to his people, and to uphold his duties to his father, to his people, his wife and his son. Mara asserted that the seat of enlightenment rightfully belonged to him, and not to the mortal Siddhartha. His armies echoed with resounding agreement. Mara challenged Siddharta, daring him to find someone who would speak on his behalf to support his claim.

At this point, Siddhartha touched the ground with the fingers of his right hand, and said “Let the Earth be my witness.”. The Earth Goddess appeared, saying, “This is my beloved son who has, through innumerable lifetimes, proven to have fully dedicated himself to duty and selfless compassion. He may not be tempted by the trappings of the individual.” before squeezing out water from her hair, creating a tsunami that washed away Mara and his hordes.

The pouring of water into the earth at the roots of the tree symbolizes that the merits the doer made and accrued are being witnessed by the Earth Goddess, Mae Thorani

, as she did when the Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree on the night of the his enlightenment. The water washes away any obstacles (like the demons in Siddharta’s story) which may be faced by the doer as well as the receiver of the merits.