Dedication of merit

From LabelingThoughts

A dedication of merit is a chant or any ritual that offers any accumulated merit from one's practice to others, instead of keeping it for oneself. It is customary in Shambhala for all activities and practices to be concluded by reciting a dedication of merit chant so that nothing is held onto and we don't develop pride from our practice. Instead we give all of the benefit of our practice away for others benefit.

There is also an official Dedication of Merit chant that has two sections, the first was considered the Buddhist portion and the second is considered the Shambhala portion based on their origins. And in some contexts just one portion might be recited.

"By this merit may all attain omniscience.
May it defeat the enemy, wrongdoing.
From the stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death,
From the ocean of samsara, may I free all beings."

"By the confidence of the golden sun of the great east,
May the lotus garden of the Rigden’s wisdom bloom.
May the dark ignorance of sentient beings be dispelled.
May all beings enjoy profound brilliant glory."

Years ago there was a practice of saying the first part of the dedication with hands in añjali and then moving one's hands into the position of a Shambhala bow while reciting the second portion. This habit has slowly faded and has been discouraged by the Sakyong, who said once "Just pick one mudra and stick with it." You may still notice some practitioners who still do this.