Series: Merit

Learn the Buddha’s teachings on merit.

The Supreme Buddha encouraged us to do a variety of wholesome actions known as merit. In this series you will learn about the power of this good karma and how it will bring happiness in this life and our future lives, and ultimately lead all the way to Nibbāna.

We recommed that you follow this series in order, starting with the first sutta. At the end of each sutta is a link to the next one in the series.
For more topics, visit the topic index. To find every single sutta where this topic is mentioned, please use the site search.

Itivuttaka

Itv 22 Māpuññabhāyi Sutta:
Do Not Fear Merit

The Buddha explains the results of developing a mind of loving kindness for seven years. (2 minutes)

“Monks, don’t be afraid to do deeds of merit. This is a synonym for happiness that is desirable, pleasing, charming, dear, and agreeable, that is ‘meritorious deeds.’

Itivuttaka

Itv 60 Puññakiriyavatthu Sutta:
Grounds for Making Merits

The Buddha explains the three grounds for making merit. (1 minute)

One should train in practicing meritorious acts that will result in future happiness. One should practice giving and follow righteous living. One should develop a mind of loving kindness.

Anguttara Nikaya

AN 5.31 Sumanā Sutta:
With Princess Sumanā

(4 minutes)

“In that case, Sumanā, I say there is no difference between the liberation of one and the liberation of the other.”

Samyutta Nikaya

SN 55.31 Abhisanda Sutta:
Streams of Merit 1

There are four kinds of streams of merit, streams of wholesomeness that generate happiness. (1 minute)

Monks, there are four kinds of streams of merit, streams of wholesomeness that generate happiness.

Majjhima Nikaya

MN 142 Dakkhiṇāvibhaṅga Sutta:
The Analysis of Giving

What are the benefits of giving and how should we give? (10 minutes)

“Give it to the Saṅgha, Gotamī. When you give to the Saṅgha, both the Saṅgha and I will be honored.”

Itivuttaka

Itv 27 Mettācetovimutti Sutta:
The Development of Loving-kindness

The Buddha explains how developing loving kindness even towards just one being will bring a huge amount of merit. (3 minutes)

This discourse was taught by the Blessed One, taught by the Arahant, the fully enlightened Supreme Buddha. This is as I heard: “Monks, all the ways of making merit leading to future happiness do not equal a sixteenth part of the mind-liberation of loving-kindness. The mind-liberation of loving-kindness surpasses them and shines, blazes, and dazzles.” […]

Majjhima Nikaya

MN 135 Cula Kamma Vibhanga Sutta:
The Shorter Discourse on Analysing Kamma

Learn about specific good and bad actions and their good and bad results. (11 minutes)

So it is the way people live that makes them how they are, whether short-lived or long-lived, constantly sick or healthy, ugly or beautiful, weak or influential, poor or rich, in a low-caste or high-caste family, or unwise or wise.

Vimana Vatthu

Vv 5.3 Chattamāṇavaka Sutta:
The Boy Chatta’s Mansion

The Supreme Buddha teaches a young boy about going for refuge and the precepts. (6 minutes)

These three verses contain the qualities of the Triple Gem and were taught to a boy named Chatta by the Supreme Buddha who asked him to go for refuge. Yo vadataṁ pavaro manujesu,Sakyamunī bhagavā katakicco;Pāragato balaviriyasamaṅgī,Taṁ sugataṁ saraṇatthamupemi. The Sage of the Sakyan clan, the Supreme Buddha, who completed the journey to Nibbana, is the […]

Khuddakapatha

Khp 8 Nidhikaṇḍa Sutta:
The Discourse on Savings

What is the proper way to protect our futures? (3 minutes)

The wise person should make merit, for that savings follow one along. That savings satisfy every desire of gods and humans, whatever they wish for.

Anguttara Nikaya

AN 5.199 Kula Sutta:
Families

The Supreme Buddha explains five ways of collecting merit when monks visit a household. (2 minutes)

On the occasion when virtuous monks come to a family, the family collects merit in five ways.