Why Should We Create Merit?
In life, everything we desire, whether it’s health, wealth, peace, wisdom, or happiness, all arises from merit.
- People with merit encounter good opportunities and favorable conditions.
- People without merit may be talented, but they still face obstacles and difficulties.
Therefore, no matter what you do in life, never forget to create merit.
What is Merit?
Merit is not just money or material wealth, but more importantly, it is what we do for others.
- Anything that benefits others, even in small ways, should be done.
- Anything that harms others, even in small ways, should be avoided.
For example:
- Seeing a puddle of water in the middle of the road, if no one cleans it, someone could slip and fall.
- I may not be the one who spilled the water, but I recognize the danger and clean it up.
- That is merit – because I have awareness and the action to help others.
Merit is not about doing something big or small, but about having a heart that thinks of others.
Awareness to Create Merit
Often, we have opportunities to create merit, but we overlook them.
- Walking past a puddle, we may say: “This puddle is dangerous to slip on!”, but we keep walking without cleaning it up.
- That is missing an opportunity to create merit.
Creating merit requires awareness, seeing what should be done, and acting immediately.
Four Conditions to Rebirth in the Pure Land
According to the Amitabha Sutra, to be reborn in the Pure Land, four conditions must be met:
- Virtuous roots – The foundation of goodness, knowing how to turn toward good deeds.
- Merit – The merit accumulated from virtuous actions.
- Conditions and causes – Sufficient favorable conditions, encountering the path of cultivation.
- Determination to be reborn – The vow to be reborn in the Pure Land.
Without merit, virtuous roots, and proper conditions – no matter how much you recite the Buddha’s name, you cannot be reborn in the Pure Land.
Don’t Wait Until You Can’t Act to Think About Creating Merit
- There are times when you want to create merit but it’s too late, because you lack health, resources, or the circumstances to act.
- Therefore, when you have the opportunity, act immediately, don’t hesitate.
Creating merit doesn’t wait until you have abundant wealth, it’s about taking small actions every day.
Final Thought
- Merit is the foundation for everything in life – with merit, all good things will come.
- Do anything that helps others, no matter how small, without hesitation.
- You don’t need to do grand things – just have the awareness and act when you can.
- The four conditions for rebirth in the Pure Land: Virtuous roots, merit, conditions, and determination.
- Don’t wait until you can’t act – create merit now while you still can.
Living a meaningful life isn’t about living long or being wealthy, but knowing how to create merit, help others, and benefit the world.
This article is compiled based on a sermon by Venerable Thích Pháp Hoà
The Original Dharma Talk
Merit is found in every act of kindness done for others—no matter how small, never turn it away.
Below is his original lesson:
Phước là những gì làm được cho người, dù rất nhỏ, cũng đừng từ chối
