Significance of Merit
Synonyms: Value, Worth, Quality, Excellence, Virtue, Advantage, Benefit, Distinction
In Finnish: Merit; In Swedish: Merit; In Malay: Merit; In Dutch: Verdienste; In Spanish: 惭茅谤颈迟辞; In German: Verdienst; In French: 惭茅谤颈迟别; In Finnish: Ansio
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Merit'
In Buddhism, Merit encompasses the positive karmic results from virtuous actions, benefiting oneself and others, influencing rebirth, spiritual growth, and contributing to future happiness, spiritual liberation, and enlightenment through good deeds and intentions.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The positive qualities or actions that accumulate spiritual benefits, essential in Buddhist doctrine.[1] (2) The positive karmic value earned through good deeds and ethical practices, which is expected to increase as a result of joy and virtue.[2] (3) Positive qualities or virtues accumulated through good deeds and intentions.[3] (4) Known as punya; it is the third aspect of the threefold benefit that laziness-torpor can obliterate.[4] (5) Positive qualities or actions that contribute to one's spiritual progress, contrasted with worldly pursuits.[5]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) The positive karmic results accrued from good deeds and virtuous actions, contributing to one's spiritual progress.[6] (2) The positive karmic effects of good deeds, which benefit oneself and others in the cycle of rebirth.[7] (3) The positive actions and qualities accumulated by the Bodhisattva, contributing to his path towards enlightenment.[8] (4) The positive spiritual value accrued from good deeds, intentions, or thoughts, contributing to future rebirths or enlightenment.[9]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) The positive qualities or good deeds accumulated through virtuous actions that lead to favorable outcomes in future rebirths or enlightenment.[10] (2) The quality of good deeds and intentions which allows individuals the fortune to encounter the dharma and spiritual teachers.[11]
From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva fundamental vow sutra
(1) The spiritual value or positive credit acquired through good deeds, which can be allocated to the deceased to benefit them in the afterlife.[12]
From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Sutra of the Great Vow)
(1) The positive spiritual energy accrued through good actions, which can benefit both the living and the deceased.[13]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) The positive spiritual consequence gained from selfless acts, particularly from giving, contributing to one's spiritual growth.[14]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) Merit is accumulated and is the field of merit, which is the awakened one.[15]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The positive karmic results derived from good actions, which was a central theme in Visakha's story as she built up her merits through charitable deeds.[16] (2) The good deeds accumulated by devas which influence their fear or acceptance of impending death.[17] (3) Spiritual value accumulated through good deeds, which contributes to future happiness and spiritual liberation.[18] (4) The spiritual quality accumulated by Uppalavanna Theri through her good deeds, which played a crucial role in her eventual enlightenment.[19] (5) The positive value or good karma generated through virtuous actions, which is believed to lead to favorable outcomes in this life or future lives.[20]
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) The positive qualities or good karma generated from previous practices or actions that aid in meditation.[21] (2) Associated with dhamma as qualities or actions that bring about positive outcomes or advantages.[22]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) The good karma or positive deeds the king intended to confer upon people by displaying his lavish meals.[23] (2) The positive qualities or actions accumulated through good deeds that grant one exceptional abilities.[24]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks鈥� rules)
(1) Good karma earned through virtuous actions, which holds great importance in the context of Buddhist teachings.[25]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) Referring to positive actions and good deeds which are essential for spiritual attainment.[26]
From: Mahavamsa
(1) The positive results accumulated by a person through good deeds and the belief in them, emphasized as essential in the text.[27]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) The virtue or good karma that the great merchant sought to gain through his actions of building dwelling-places.[28]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) Merit refers to the positive results or benefits stemming from good deeds, impacted by the relationship between the soul and cosmic intellect.[29] (2) Merit is a product of Primordial Matter and is considered non-different from it; it is a necessary element for fulfilling desires.[30] (3) The perceived value of performing actions, particularly in the context of the pursuit of Truth and virtue.[31]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) The positive ethical results accumulated from virtuous actions, which can lead to favorable rebirths and progress on the path to enlightenment.[32]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) The positive qualities and good actions that lead to favorable rebirths and spiritual progress.[33]
From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)
(1) Spiritual credit gained through good deeds or reverence towards Buddha, which is said to accumulate for those who follow his teachings.[34]
Hindu concept of 'Merit'
In Hinduism, Merit encompasses the spiritual or moral worth derived from good deeds, righteous conduct, and devotion, influencing one's karmic value, spiritual credit, and ultimately impacting destiny and spiritual liberation.
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The positive outcomes and virtues associated with fulfilling one's duties and responsibilities correctly.[35] (2) The spiritual benefit acquired by performing righteous acts and making fitting offerings to Brahmanas.[36]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)
(1) The gain of virtue or moral excellence resulting from good actions, sought through righteous governance.[37] (2) The moral and spiritual credits earned through virtuous actions, often held in high regard in spiritual traditions.[38]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The spiritual and ethical credits earned through good deeds, rituals, and worship.[39]
From: Sanatsujatiya (English translation)
(1) The quality of being particularly good or worthy, which is acquired through the performance of virtuous deeds and actions.[40]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) Value resulting from good deeds or spiritual practices, which impacts one's spiritual progress and rewards.[41]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The spiritual or karmic value gained through knowledge and understanding, particularly in relation to Brahma's time cycles.[42] (2) The positive moral quality achieved by a king when he gives up his life for the benefit of his subjects, which is conducive to spiritual rewards.[43] (3) The positive value or goodness associated with performing good deeds or charitable acts.[44]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) The spiritual credit attributed to one's actions, emphasized in the context of the vow and its comparison to studentship.[45]
From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology
(1) This term refers to virtue, and the increase of merit is a positive outcome associated with the munthaha when joined to the moon, as indicated in the text.[46] (2) Merit, as mentioned in the text, is associated with loss, and is considered in relation to planetary configurations that influence outcomes and events related to the eighth house.[47] (3) This represents one's positive qualities or good deeds, and is often associated with Jupiter's influence, affecting the individual's character and reputation.[48]
From: Natyashastra (English)
(1) Qualities or attributes that enhance the value or quality of a work.[49]
Jain concept of 'Merit'
In Jainism, Merit signifies positive actions and spiritual qualities leading to favorable outcomes and advancements, influencing one's karmic cycle, purifying the soul, and embodying respect, as seen through various interpretations by figures in the tradition.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The quality of being deserving of respect or reward; Queen Sudarshana reflects on her own lack of merit.[50] (2) The spiritual or virtuous quality that attracted Vasudeva to Kanakavati.[51] (3) A spiritual quality attributed to the devotion and actions of individuals, impacting their future births and experiences.[52] (4) The quality attributed to Vasudeva by the queen, suggesting his suitability to marry Devaki.[53] (5) The positive spiritual quality that Nayasara aims to acquire through good deeds, which he believes brought the sadhus to him.[54]
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) Merit (punya) is that which purifies the soul and is the cause of happy-feeling (sata-vedaniya).[55] (2) A quality or virtuous aspect of the religion taught by Lord Jina, which can be slandered as lacking.[56]
From: Sutrakritanga (English translation)
(1) Positive actions and qualities that lead to favorable outcomes and spiritual advancement.[57]
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) The positive spiritual and moral outcomes attributed to benevolent actions, which Bala encourages in the context of almsgiving.[58]
The concept of Merit in local and regional sources
Merit signifies exceptional quality deserving of recognition, spiritual benefits from altruistic acts, and positive qualities linked to religious duties, reflecting the values upheld by the characters and society within the narrative context.
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) The spiritual benefit that was being sought by characters in the story, particularly through acts of kindness and religious practices.[59]
From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)
(1) The positive spiritual quality associated with religious duties and virtuous conduct valued by the people of the kingdom.[60]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially in a way that deserves recognition and rewards.[61]