Merit, generous acts and happiness
Merit (punya) is the result of good deeds, actions and thoughts accumulated over time. The importance of merit and generosity is to accumulate good karma. Moreover, in Buddhism the purpose of pursuing merit is to develop a wise sense of self. Though, the end goal is to ultimately letting go of the notion of self, it is important to develop a sense of wise self first. When developing a wise sense of self we are also developing a kind a mature sense of self that allows for us to better plan our future and to sacrifice short-term happiness for long-term happiness. The goal is to develop into a more pure and compassionate being. One of the many ways to pursing merit is giving. Giving a gift to someone can bring about happiness of generosity.
Buddhist monks can obtain merit by mindfulness, mediation, chanting and rituals. On the journey to being enlightened monks and nuns usually renounce the material world, which is why they rely on lay people or communities for food, clothes, utensils, candles etc. In turn they will bring merit and good karma to the lay people and community. Lay people can also earn merit by performing specific acts such as honoring others, offering service, involving others in good deeds, being thankful for others’ good deeds, listening to teachings, instructing others in the teachings and straightening ones own views in accord with the teachings. When lay people honor or offer services to monks this is also a way to earn merit
It is said that a very famous lama is travelling through the region. This would be a good time to invite him to come to our village to give teachings and religious empowerment rituals. Since the hailstorm and outbreak of naga disease a lama would certainly be vital to increasing the merit of the entire village. The scholars of the village are busy preparing a letter of invitation. The rest of the community are busy preparing art, text, offering scarves, food or gold. These offerings will increase the merit of the village if the lama decides to come. The entire village is now busy with preparing for the lama to come. Everybody has his or her part to do. One of most important things is to prepare the temple, which includes cleaning inside and outside of the temple. Preparing washing water, drinking water, incense, flowers and fragrant water, food and music. Next the butter lamps must be cleared and wicks and melted butter must be filled. The kitchen is also very busy preparing food. Comfortable cushions for the throne are being sewed along with scarves. More, all private quarters must be prepared with bowls of fruit, fresh flowers and clean offerings. Musical instruments and text must also be ready. The entrance of the temple is prepared with white chalk drawings of lotus, conch shell, dharma wheel, and endless knot, offering vase, umbrella, gold fish and victory banner all signifying auspicious offerings. When the lama arrives a red carpet will placed at the entrance. Other things that must be prepared on the day of arrival are light smoke fire fueled by fragrant branches such as juniper at the gates of the temple in order to purify the environment. During the day of, a sign or respect and honor to the lama we would have a crowd of lay and ordained people throwing flowers and silk scares onto the car as it passes by. It is customary to hold an umbrella over the lama’s head when he exists the car and walks over to the temple. Someone then helps him takes off his shoes and places a blanket on his lap if it is a chilly day. I had offered some gold, time and service to help prepare for the lama to come any way needed. This is a good chance for the community to bring more happiness to the village through generous acts. Although I would like to see the lama come I am not attached. There are other ways in which we can build up the community with more peace and harmony even if the lama decides not to come.
