Understanding Merit and Virtue
An essential component of the Buddhist path is accumulating merit through virtuous acts. Virtuous actions, according to Buddhism, are outlined in the Vinaya, the Buddhist code of ethics. The Vinaya is part of the Tripitaka (or “Three Baskets”), which form the foundational teachings of the Buddha. The Tripitaka consists of:
- Vinaya – the code of monastic discipline.
- Sutras – the direct teachings of the Buddha.
- Abhidharma – the study of Buddhist ontology and psychology.
The Abhidharma is particularly fascinating due to its depth and precision in describing the mind. Buddhist scholars, through meditation and contemplation, developed an intricate understanding of human consciousness. Similar to how the Inuit are said to have many words for snow, early Buddhists created thousands of descriptors for the workings of the mind. Their insights into psychology, cosmology, and science parallel many modern understandings, demonstrating the depth of their introspection.
The Sutras and Shastras comprise the Buddha’s teachings and their commentaries from senior students. These form the textual and liturgical essence of Buddhism as a system and are the most widely known and quoted.
The Central Role of Ethics and Karma
Buddhism is an experiential path. Therefore, despite the richness of Buddhist psychology and the profundity of the teachings, academic knowledge alone is not enough. If our actions create suffering for ourselves and others, our intellectual understanding will be of little benefit. This is why Vinaya is central to the Buddhist path—it guides us in ethical conduct, helping us work with karma.
The Laws of Karma are one of the four foundational reminders in Buddhism (along with The truth of Impermanence, the Preciousness of Human Birth, and the futility of Samsara) is the principle that every action creates further propensities and consequences. This idea parallels Newton’s law that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, but extends into the fourth dimension of time. This is to say, our actions not only have present circumstances, but also create the propensity for future occurrence. Understanding karma can be overwhelming, as every action in our lives is interconnected with everything else. There is no specific definable origin to anything. According to Pratītyasamutpāda (dependent origination), all things arise due to previous causes and conditions, making reality a vast, interwoven web.
If karma is so complex, how do we work with it? The Buddha provided a simple yet profound answer: focus on daily virtuous actions. Buddhism, as ever, reminds us that when in doubt, come back to the present. What are we doing now? In the present we have a choice to more toward enlightenment, or away into the perceived safety of ignorance. By doing positive actions, we create a natural inclination toward virtue. This, in turn, fosters positive circumstances in our lives. As one of my teachers said, while samsara is suffering, moving toward lesser suffering within samsara places us in better circumstances to benefit ourselves and others.
The Practical Application of Dharma
The ultimate view is to avoid Karma, altogether. This happens when we are specifically mindful of our actions, without interpretation. However, this is a highly refined action that may be unrealistic for most of us in daily life. The Buddha’s superpower was in addressing individuals according to their needs. Therefore, the Buddha’s Dharma is said to be the perfect perfect teaching at at the perfect time, for the perfect circumstance. This process, called transmission, differs from ordinary teaching—it doesn’t just impart knowledge but refines our human experience.
Among the four reminders, the preciousness of human birth is particularly important. To be born as a human, capable of making choices and free from overwhelming suffering, is considered exceedingly rare. A classic Buddhist analogy compares it to a one-eyed turtle surfacing in the ocean and placing its head through a small hoop—an event of almost impossible odds. Recognizing this rarity encourages gratitude and motivates us to use this opportunity wisely. With our actions, we can move the world toward openness and peace, or we can join with so many in self centered delusion.
Accumulating Merit for the Benefit of All
The purpose of spiritual practice is not just personal growth but refining ourselves as an instrument for the benefit of others—our families, communities, and all sentient beings. While the vastness of karma may seem overwhelming, the Buddha made it practical: be mindful of the present moment and the impact of our actions. Virtuous actions lead to virtuous circumstances, reinforcing a cycle of goodness.
Merit functions like a reservoir of positive energy. The more merit we accumulate, the more resilience we develop against negative circumstances. Virtue is not simply about “being good” but engaging in actions that benefit both ourselves and others. When we act selflessly without self-depletion, we strengthen our bodhicitta—the awakened heart-mind dedicated to enlightenment for all beings. The key is to take one step at a time, forgive ourselves when we falter, and return to the path of virtue without recrimination of doubt.
There are traditionally listed 10 virtuous actions to cultivate, and 10 non-virtuous actions to avoid.
The Ten Virtuous and Non-Virtuous Actions
The Ten Non-Virtuous Actions:
- Killing – Taking the life of any sentient being.
- Stealing – Taking what is not freely given.
- Sexual misconduct – Engaging in harmful or exploitative sexual behavior.
- Lying – Intentionally deceiving others.
- Harsh speech – Using words to hurt, insult, or demean.
- Divisive speech – Creating conflict or discord between people.
- Idle chatter – Speaking without purpose, gossiping, or wasting time in speech.
- Covetousness – Desiring what belongs to others in a way that breeds discontent.
- Ill will – Harboring anger, resentment, or a wish to harm others.
- Wrong views – Holding beliefs that deny karma, ethics, or the potential for enlightenment.
The Ten Virtuous Actions:
- Protecting life – Practicing non-violence and compassion.
- Generosity – Giving freely without selfish intent.
- Sexual integrity – Engaging in respectful and ethical relationships.
- Truthfulness – Speaking honestly and with integrity.
- Kind speech – Using words to uplift and encourage.
- Harmonious speech – Promoting peace and understanding.
- Meaningful speech – Speaking with mindfulness and purpose.
- Contentment – Appreciating what one has and avoiding greed.
- Goodwill – Cultivating love and compassion for all beings.
- Right view – Understanding the nature of reality, karma, and the path to liberation.
By integrating these principles into our lives, we create the conditions for genuine happiness, wisdom, and progress on the spiritual path.