A Note on Giving and Merit

It is often argued that one should give and make merit without reflecting on the merit that it brings to us. This argument suggests that to reflect on our merits shows a pride and not selflessness. This is a false view. The Buddha taught us to contemplate the making of merits and to delight before during and after giving so that the merit may be multiplied. Without merit you will not renew the good fortune you are enjoying now. While less fortunate in the future it will be far harder for you to continue to make merits and be of service. Contrary to the western mind set , which often doesn’t understand the law of karma, to delight in ones merits doesn’t defile the mind set of giving. On the contrary it makes it more powerful to reflect upon the merit of ones deeds because it becomes triple rooted (wisdom is present) instead of twin rooted (non greed and non hatred.) Its actually the other way round and peoples false pride that objects to this. They feel themselves to be more virtuous if they can convince themselves that their giving is more selfless than the man who reflects upon his merit…This is a common new age attitude that masks misunderstanding and arrogance at a subtle level.