In Buddhism, the act of giving does not end with the giver. One of the most beautiful and distinctive aspects of Buddhist ethics is the idea that the karmic fruitfulness of a good deed — the spiritual benefit or merit it generates — can be shared with others. This sharing is not just symbolic; it is seen as a real act of generosity, one that spreads peace and compassion across visible and invisible realms.
In the Theravāda tradition, sharing karmic fruitfulness (patti) often follows generous acts, especially offerings to the monastic community. After such deeds, it is common to dedicate the merit to others — not to transfer the karma itself, but to express a heartfelt wish that others may rejoice in it and be uplifted by it. This rejoicing, or anumodanā, allows the recipients to generate karmic fruitfulness for themselves through sympathetic joy .
One vivid example is found in funeral rites, where merit is dedicated to deceased relatives in the hope that it might ease their suffering if they have been reborn as petas — hungry ghosts. The canonical text Petavatthu tells of suffering beings who attain heavenly rebirth after merit is made in their name. Though controversial in theory — since karma is typically individual — the Theravāda commentaries explain that sharing merit is possible when done on behalf of another being, and if that being rejoices in the act .
In the Mahāyāna tradition, this concept expands even further. Karmic fruitfulness is seen as not inherently belonging to anyone. Because of the doctrine of emptiness (śūnyatā), merit can be freely transferred (pariṇāmanā) to all sentient beings. Bodhisattvas, in particular, are known for offering up all their merit to relieve the suffering of others. Some even aspire to take on the bad karma of others, demonstrating an ethic of radical compassion. In Bodhicaryāvatāra, Śāntideva prays for the merit of his writings to become relief for the suffering, protection for the endangered, and wisdom for the deluded .
A traditional metaphor helps explain this mystery: just as one lamp can light many others without diminishing its own flame, so too can karmic fruitfulness be shared without loss. In fact, sharing is itself a wholesome act that produces even more merit. It becomes a cycle of giving that unites the living and the dead, the visible and invisible, the individual and the community .
Modern rituals often include such dedications: to deceased loved ones, to gods who protect the Dharma, or to all beings. In Thai Buddhism, for instance, laypeople commonly share the merit of ordinations, donations, and rituals with relatives, teachers, and divine beings, trusting that these gestures bring harmony and protection to all involved .
At its heart, the sharing of karmic fruitfulness is a gesture of interconnection. It says: “May my goodness help you. May our lives be uplifted together.” In a world often focused on accumulation and ownership, this practice invites a shift — toward boundless generosity, mutual joy, and the subtle ways our lives ripple outward into the lives of others.