Merit and Demerit



Evening Reflection

Yesterday afternoon, while I was attending my Abhidhamma class, a woman asked the teacher to explain the meaning of “merit” and “demerit.” The teacher explained that merit refers to wholesome or good actions, while demerit refers to unwholesome or harmful actions. Another person then asked about the results of merit and demerit, and the explanation included the traditional understanding that wholesome actions can lead to fortunate rebirths, such as being born as a human or celestial being, while unwholesome actions can lead to unfortunate destinations, such as being born as an animal or experiencing suffering in the lower realms.

I listened carefully to the explanation. After the teacher finished, I asked if I could share my own understanding.

From my perspective, we cannot personally know the details of our past lives or future lives, whether our own or those of other people, unless we possess a direct way of knowing them. However, there is something we can observe clearly: what is happening in the present moment within our own minds.

For example, when we have the intention to help someone, perform a wholesome action, or speak with kindness and compassion, the mind may become lighter, calmer, and happier. To me, this is something we can directly observe as an experience of a wholesome state of mind.

On the other hand, when anger, resentment, hatred, ill will, or the desire to hurt someone arises, the mind can become disturbed, tense, and unhappy. This is also something we can observe directly in our everyday experience.

Therefore, one lesson I received from yesterday’s discussion is that we do not have to wait until some future result appears before understanding that our actions have consequences. We can begin observing the results right now.

When we perform a good action, such as helping someone in need, we may be the first person to experience the happiness and satisfaction that comes from doing something kind. The other person may benefit from our help, but our own mind also experiences the quality of that wholesome intention.

On the other hand, if we hurt someone because of our anger, we are also the first person to experience the consequences of that anger. Before anger causes suffering for another person, it has already disturbed our own mind.

We are the first victim of our anger.

Therefore, understanding merit and demerit can begin with observing our own minds in the present moment. Every thought, word, and action gradually shapes the condition of our mind.

Living with mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom is not only about performing good actions in the hope of receiving a future reward. It is also about creating greater peace within ourselves right now.

Perhaps this is one of the most practical ways to understand the teaching: wholesome intentions bring a different quality to the mind, while unwholesome intentions disturb it.

The more carefully we observe this process, the more clearly we begin to understand the relationship between our intentions, our actions, and our inner experience.

And when we understand this through our own observation, the teaching becomes more than an idea. It becomes something we can practice in everyday life.


— Raksmey Koy

Art of Inner Peace

www.artofinnerpeace.com


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