Difference between revisions of "Merit"
(Created page with "thumb|250px| <poem> Merit (Sanskrit puṇya, Pāli puñña) is a concept in Buddhism/Hinduism. It is that which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts...") |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:48244.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:48244.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | Merit (Sanskrit puṇya, Pāli puñña) is a concept in Buddhism/Hinduism. It is that which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts, or thoughts and which carries over to throughout the | + | Merit ([[Sanskrit]] puṇya, [[Pāli]] puñña) is a concept in [[Buddhism]]/[[Hinduism]]. It is that which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts, or thoughts and which carries over to throughout the [[Life]] or the subsequent incarnations. Such merit contributes to a person's growth towards spiritual liberation. Merit can be gained in a number of ways. In addition, according to the [[Mahayana]] [[Sutra]] of The Great Vows of [[Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva]], one can "transfer" 1/7 merit of an act they have performed to a deceased loved one such as in the Shitro practice in order to diminish the deceased's [[Suffering]] in their new existence. Pariṇāmanā ([[Sanskrit]]) may be rendered as 'transfer of merit' or 'dedication' and involves the transfer of merit as a cause to bring about an effect. |
Three bases of merit | Three bases of merit | ||
| − | The Pali canon identifies three bases of merit (Pali: puññakiriyavatthu). In the Puññakiriyavatthusuttaṃ ("Meritorious actions discourse," AN 8.36 or A 8.4.6), | + | The [[Pali]] canon identifies three bases of merit ([[Pali]]: puññakiriyavatthu). In the Puññakiriyavatthusuttaṃ ("Meritorious actions discourse," AN 8.36 or A 8.4.6), [[The Buddha]] identifies these three bases: |
giving (dānamayaṃ puññakiriyavatthu) | giving (dānamayaṃ puññakiriyavatthu) | ||
virtue (sīlamayaṃ puññakiriyavatthu) | virtue (sīlamayaṃ puññakiriyavatthu) | ||
| − | mental development ( | + | mental development ([[Bhāvanā]]mayaṃ puññakiriyavatthu) |
| − | In the "Sangiti Sutta" ("Chanting together discourse," DN 33), verse 38, Ven. Sariputta identifies the same triad: | + | In the "Sangiti [[Sutta]]" ("[[Chanting]] together discourse," DN 33), verse 38, Ven. [[Sariputta]] identifies the same triad: [[Dāna]], [[Sīla]], bhāvanā. |
| − | In the Khuddaka Nikaya's Itivuttaka (Iti. 1.22), the three bases are defined as: giving (dānassa), self- | + | In the [[Khuddaka Nikaya]]'s [[Itivuttaka]] (Iti. 1.22), the three bases are defined as: giving (dānassa), self-[[Mastery]] (damassa) and refraining (saññamassā). Later in this same [[Sutta]], the triad is restated as: giving ([[Dāna]]), a [[Life]] of mental calm (sama-cariya) and a mind of good-will ([[Metta]]-[[Citta]]). |
Merit-making | Merit-making | ||
| − | Buddhist monks earn merit through | + | Buddhist monks earn merit through [[Mindfulness]], [[Meditation]], [[Chanting]] and other rituals. |
| − | A post-canonical commentary, elaborating on the canonically identified meritorious triad of | + | A post-canonical commentary, elaborating on the canonically identified meritorious triad of [[Dana]]-sila-[[Bhavana]] (see D.III,218), states that lay devotees can make merit by performing these seven more specific acts: |
honoring others (apacayana-maya) | honoring others (apacayana-maya) | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
Quantification | Quantification | ||
| − | In China, it is believed that merit are quantified in some merit ledgers (功過格) and are able to offset bad | + | In China, it is believed that merit are quantified in some merit ledgers (功過格) and are able to offset bad [[Karma]], such as those in the Jade Record or the Liaofan's four lessons (了凡四訓) |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Rituals]] | [[Category:Rituals]] | ||
Revision as of 00:01, 7 April 2013
Merit (Sanskrit puṇya, Pāli puñña) is a concept in Buddhism/Hinduism. It is that which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts, or thoughts and which carries over to throughout the Life or the subsequent incarnations. Such merit contributes to a person's growth towards spiritual liberation. Merit can be gained in a number of ways. In addition, according to the Mahayana Sutra of The Great Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, one can "transfer" 1/7 merit of an act they have performed to a deceased loved one such as in the Shitro practice in order to diminish the deceased's Suffering in their new existence. Pariṇāmanā (Sanskrit) may be rendered as 'transfer of merit' or 'dedication' and involves the transfer of merit as a cause to bring about an effect.
Three bases of merit
The Pali canon identifies three bases of merit (Pali: puññakiriyavatthu). In the Puññakiriyavatthusuttaṃ ("Meritorious actions discourse," AN 8.36 or A 8.4.6), The Buddha identifies these three bases:
giving (dānamayaṃ puññakiriyavatthu)
virtue (sīlamayaṃ puññakiriyavatthu)
mental development (Bhāvanāmayaṃ puññakiriyavatthu)
In the "Sangiti Sutta" ("Chanting together discourse," DN 33), verse 38, Ven. Sariputta identifies the same triad: Dāna, Sīla, bhāvanā.
In the Khuddaka Nikaya's Itivuttaka (Iti. 1.22), the three bases are defined as: giving (dānassa), self-Mastery (damassa) and refraining (saññamassā). Later in this same Sutta, the triad is restated as: giving (Dāna), a Life of mental calm (sama-cariya) and a mind of good-will (Metta-Citta).
Merit-making
Buddhist monks earn merit through Mindfulness, Meditation, Chanting and other rituals.
A post-canonical commentary, elaborating on the canonically identified meritorious triad of Dana-sila-Bhavana (see D.III,218), states that lay devotees can make merit by performing these seven more specific acts:
honoring others (apacayana-maya)
offering service (veyyavacca-maya)
involving others in good deeds (pattidana-maya)
being thankful for others' good deeds (pattanumodana-maya)
listening to Teachings (dhammassavana-maya)
instructing others in the Teachings (dhammadesana-maya)
straightening one's own views in accord with the Teachings (ditthujukamma)
Quantification
In China, it is believed that merit are quantified in some merit ledgers (功過格) and are able to offset bad Karma, such as those in the Jade Record or the Liaofan's four lessons (了凡四訓)
