Is sharing Merit a Buddhist teaching?

[Ceisiwr]

Greetings


Is the sharing of merit a Buddhist teaching, or something that came a long later?

My reason for asking is that it seems to go against the Buddhas teachings that beings are responsible for their own Kamma


Suttas such as this one


http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

teach that kamma vipaka cant be changed despite praying and ceremonies etc

The only good i can see that comes from merit sharing is an increase in wholesome states such as compassion in those who do it

Or am i understanding merit sharing wrongly?

Metta

[kc2dpt]

One of the Buddha's teachings is on mudita, finding joy in the goodness of others. When we invite others to "share in our merits" what we are doing is inviting them to cultivate mudita. We can do this with recently departed family and friends who may still be hovering around as a ghost or deva. We can even do this with living friends and family when we tell them about the good in our lives. Too often we are quick to share the bad news and shy to share the good news. Sharing good news give other people the opportunity to cultivate mudita, which is meritorious for them. In this way we "share" the merit of our good deeds.

Merit can't actually be shared in the sense of "here you take a portion of my merit". But it can be shared in the sense of "come share in my happiness".

[Ceisiwr]

Greetings

Merit can't actually be shared in the sense of "here you take a portion of my merit". But it can be shared in the sense of "come share in my happiness".

Thanks peter, that actually makes a bit more sense, it always came accross to me as "here is my merit, please take it"


Metta

[Mawkish1983]

Yes, thanks you Peter, that makes a lot of sense

[retrofuturist]

Well said, Peter.

Metta,
Retro.

[SeerObserver]

Awesome synopsis, Peter.

[Individual]

Greetings


Is the sharing of merit a Buddhist teaching, or something that came a long later?

Only in the context of developing the Brahmaviharas. However, the idea of karma as something physical or tangible (something that is "stored", "gathered", "collected," and therefore, capable of being "shared") is something that came later. It is founded upon a common superstitious misunderstanding of the meaning of karma.

[mikenz66]

Here's something from the Tipitika...

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Petavatthu
Stories of the Hungry Ghosts
Pv I.5: Tirokudda Kanda — Hungry Shades Outside the Walls {Pv 3; verses 14-25} [Thanissaro]. Some of your ancestors and deceased loved ones may have been reborn as hungry ghosts, no longer able to fend for themselves. In this poem the Buddha explains that it is to your long-term benefit — and to theirs — that you honor their memory with gifts.

The verses are rather touching...

Mike

[Ngawang Drolma.]

Craig, great question

[Individual]

Also, from the Dhammapada 12: The Self

By oneself is evil done; by oneself is one defiled. By oneself is evil left undone; by oneself is one made pure. Purity and impurity depended on oneself; no one can purify another.

[retrofuturist]

Very good observation, Individual.

Metta,
Retro.

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

One must be careful to avoid the wrong deterministic view that no one can help anyone else in any way since they alone are responsible for their own kamma.

Sharing of merit is one of the ten kusala kammas:

Transference of Merit (pattidāna) is the volition of asking others to participate in wholesome deeds and thereby to share in the resultant merit.

When doing any wholesome deeds such as giving alms, listening to Dhamma, or practising meditation, one can multiply the benefits by urging family and friends to participate. The beneficial effects of transference of merit is the ability to give in abundance.

The Buddha was reluctant to teach the Dhamma as it was profound and beyond the comprehension of many. However, he decided to teach because some at least would be able to understand it, and without his teaching they would have not gained liberation from suffering.

Sometimes the Buddha extolled his own virtues — not to boast, but to inspire others to have full confidence in him.

[Nicholas Weeks]

One must be careful to avoid the wrong deterministic view that no one can help anyone else in any way since they alone are responsible for their own kamma.

Sharing of merit is one of the ten kusala kammas:

Transference of Merit (pattidāna) is the volition of asking others to participate in wholesome deeds and thereby to share in the resultant merit.

When doing any wholesome deeds such as giving alms, listening to Dhamma, or practising meditation, one can multiply the benefits by urging family and friends to participate. The beneficial effects of transference of merit is the ability to give in abundance.

The Buddha was reluctant to teach the Dhamma as it was profound and beyond the comprehension of many. However, he decided to teach because some at least would be able to understand it, and without his teaching they would have not gained liberation from suffering.

Sometimes the Buddha extolled his own virtues — not to boast, but to inspire others to have full confidence in him.

"one can multiply the benefits by urging family and friends to participate." Multiply benefits to oneself only, whether those urged participate or not?

All my Mahayana background makes this hard to fathom.

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

By giving with one's own hand, one makes merit. By urging others to give, one makes merit. If they also give, after being urged to give, they make merit. Even if they don't give, if they have the wholesome thought of rejoicing in your giving, they make merit.

Likewise for all other wholesome actions. Sharing increases the merit for both parties.

However, if those urged turn around and try to discourage, or succeed in discouraging you from doing wholesome actions. Then they make demerit, and you lose merit, or make demerit if you adopt their negative view, e.g. that giving charity, observing morality, or practising meditation is just a wasted effort.

[Goedert]

By giving with one's own hand, one makes merit. By urging others to give, one makes merit. If they also give, after being urged to give, they make merit. Even if they don't give, if they have the wholesome thought of rejoicing in your giving, they make merit.

Likewise for all other wholesome actions. Sharing increases the merit for both parties.

However, if those urged turn around and try to discourage, or succeed in discouraging you from doing wholesome actions. Then they make demerit, and you lose merit, or make demerit if you adopt their negative view, e.g. that giving charity, observing morality, or practising meditation is just a wasted effort.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Some schools hold a deterministic view. They say that it is possible to send other beings, after the break up of the body, to a rebirth in the Pure Abodes of Existence by making a ritual called Powa. This is a hard thing that lies beiond normal comprehension and therefore there is no registry of Buddha teaching such technique.

Your explanations, Bhante Pesala, is far more rational to understanding and to practice.

Thank you.