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TIROKUDDA SUTTA
Departed Ones in Spirit Form
( Recital to Transfer Merits to Departed Ones )
Those who reborn as unfortunate spirits
(because of selfish craving
for their property in a past life),
return to their homes and
create an eerie atmosphere
while lingering beyong the doors
They yearn for human food,
but because of their past kamma,
their living relatives neglect
to make offerings to them
Those who are compassionate,
therefore, should remember
their departed relatives and
make offerings (such as almsgiving)
in their name.
By the whole-hearted transference of merits,
the spirit will gratefully wish
for the well-being of their living relatives
who perform the meritorious deed.
They should remember the spirits
of their departed relatives
who are not at peace with themselves and
gathered in many places
In return, such spirits
thus remembered and satisfied,
will eagerly wish for the well-being
of their living relatives our of gratitude.
For there is never ploughing here,
nor any cattle herding found.
‘Nor merchandizing just the same,
nor bartering for coins of gold
The spirits of the departed kin
live there on the merits
transferred to them.’
As water showered on the hill,
flows down to reach the hollow vale,
So the merits transferred can serve,
the spirits of the departed kin.
As river-beds when full can bear
the water down to fill the sea,
so the merits transferred can serve,
The spirits of the departed kin.
‘He gave to me, he worked for me,
He was my kin, friend, intimate.’
‘Give gifts, then, for departed ones,
Recalling what they used to do.’
No weeping, nor yet sorrowing,
Nor any kind of mourning, helps
Departed Ones, whose kin remain
Acting thus, unhelpful to them.
But when this offering is given
To those members of the Holy Order,
Then it can serve them long
In future and at once as well.
(By offering alms to
the Holy Order in memory of the departed)
The true path of action
For relatives has thus been shown,
And how high honour to
departed ones is done,
and how the Holy Order
can be given sustenance as well,
and how great merit
can be stored away by you
Compiled from “Daily Buddhist Devotion”
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