The Dedication Text for the Aspiration to Uphold the Eight Precepts of Fasting

Original Text: I, named [so-and-so], now vow to distance myself from these eight matters, uphold the Eight Precepts Uposatha, and avoid falling into the three lower realms. By the merit of observing the Eight Precepts Uposatha, may I not enter the hells, the realm of hungry ghosts, the animal realm, or the eight misfortunes. May I always encounter virtuous teachers and not associate with unvirtuous companions. May I always be reborn into virtuous families and not take birth in border regions without the Dharma, not be reborn in long-lived heavenly realms, not become another's servant or slave, not become a Brahma god, not become Śakra, nor become a wheel-turning sage king. May I always be reborn before Buddhas, personally behold the Buddhas, personally hear the Dharma, and prevent my sense faculties from becoming disordered. If I vow to practice the Three Vehicles, may I swiftly attain the fruition of the path.

Explanation: This passage is a dedicatory vow: "I, named [so-and-so], vow to distance myself from these eight matters, uphold and maintain the Eight Precepts Uposatha, and avoid falling into the three lower realms. By the merit of upholding the Eight Precepts Uposatha, may I not enter the hells, the realm of hungry ghosts, the animal realm, or other misfortunes among the eight. May I always encounter virtuous teachers and not engage with unvirtuous companions. May I always encounter virtuous families for rebirth, not be born in border regions without the Dharma, not be reborn in long-lived heavenly realms, not become another's servant or slave, not become a Brahma god, not become Śakra, nor become a wheel-turning sage king. May I always be born before Buddhas, personally see the Buddhas and hear the Dharma, ensuring my six sense faculties remain undisturbed. If I vow to cultivate the Three Vehicles, may I swiftly attain the fruition of the Three Vehicles' path."

This dedicatory vow is profoundly important, signifying that all vows will be fulfilled. By making conscious choices about what to pursue and avoid in future lives, one gains immeasurable benefit. Therefore, through making such vows, one's aspirations for future lives will naturally manifest, and the path's fruition will be swiftly and spontaneously attained.