Perhaps some think that. People think all kinds of things! That's not what I was discussing.WorldTraveller wrote: ↑Wed Jun 13, 2018 11:15 am But nowadays it is believed that just by transferring merits even a person who lived an unethical life can be redirected to the heavens as brahmins did.
As I read them, the sutta I quoted doesn't suggest "transfer of merit", it suggest giving any petas who might be hanging around the opportunity for appreciative joy. I fail to see how that is inconsistent with the Buddha's teachings.
And as far as practitioners such as myself are concerned, the ritual gives me a chance for reflection and mindfulness, much like the ritual of bowing to the Buddha rupa...
Mike