<p>There is here a 119 pages <a href="http://www.fpmtabc.org/download/teaching/geshe-chonyi/bp/tathagataessence/Reference/BP%202%20Module%206%20-%20Tathagata%20Essence-Summary25.pdf" rel="nofollow">transcript of a teaching given by Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi</a>, in which he answers that exact same question. Search for 'what is merit' and you will find the answer, page 26. Although Khenrinpoche's answer is not extremely precise (it that it might not stand debate) there are greatly illuminating points:</p>

<ul>
<li>In one way, merit and virtue are the same.  <strong>In general</strong>,  virtue is 'virtuous karma', for it is a cause of the fruitional effect of happiness [in the aspect of pleasant feelings, and so forth].</li>
</ul>

<p>Additionally, a collection of merits is:</p>

<ol>
<li>The virtuous imprint that is left in the  mind</li>
<li>A non-associated composition factor (like karmic imprints, so it stands to say they are the same in general)</li>
<li>A cause of the Form Body [whereas the collection of wisdom results in the Truth Body]</li>
</ol>

<p>He also adds: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I  would  think that, the  meaning  of the word accumulate  in the
  phrase  accumulate the collection of merit would  mean that, doing 
  something  repeatedly such that, a real impression, mark, imprint is
  left on the  mind .  This is  the meaning  of  to accumulate .</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Being virtuous karmic imprints, it is produced by every virtuous intention (like for instance the virtuous intention to give, which is generosity) as well as any virtuous bodily or verbal action. Being virtuous karmic imprints, it must also have the same 4 types of result, one of them being the resultant tendency concordant to the cause. It means you will have a seemingly natural tendency, and liking for, say, practicing generosity and so forth.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-04T15:45:28.397Z
2015-12-04T15:45:28.397Z
Tenzin Dorje
<p>Pleasantness is a synonym for good/merit (puṇya/puñña).<br>
<a href="https://suttacentral.net/pi/an7.62" rel="nofollow">Mettasutta</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>“Mā, bhikkhave, <strong>puññānaṃ</strong> bhāyittha. Sukhassetaṃ, bhikkhave,
  adhivacanaṃ yadidaṃ puññāni.."</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Bhikkhus, do not fear to do good. Pleasantness is a synonym for good. Bhikkhus, I know of enjoying the results of pleasing and agreeable good, done long ago...</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-04T16:15:34.033Z
2015-12-04T16:15:34.033Z
Shrawaka
<p>Merit is any thought, deed or word based on generosity, compassion and / or wisdom. When we are born we bring our store of Karma from your past lives. During this life we consume the results of this store as well as accumulate new Karma.</p>

<p>You know you are accumulating Karma when you delight on experiences that you perceive and favorable, averse to experiences that you perceive as unfavorable and not aware of the arising and passing nature of experiences that are neutral. In other words you are clinging or craving to sensual input and clinging to conceptualisations that follow.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-06T18:30:20.870Z
2015-12-06T18:30:20.870Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>There is a lot of talk in Buddhism about merit. I think the word merit sounds a bit like a good grade in school or some star the teacher puts in the book. </p>

<ul>
<li>Is merit something that follows my thoughts and actions as a
consequence?</li>
<li>Or is merit more like an acquired disposition to act and think in certain ways?  </li>
<li>Or perhaps it's both  an acquired disposition and a    consequence?</li>
<li>Are we born with a certain "amount" of merit due to karma?</li>
<li>How does a person know that s/he is accumulating merit?</li>
</ul>

<personal-practice><karma><ethics><merit>
What does merit (puṇya/puñña) actually mean?
# What does merit (puṇya/puñña) actually mean?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-04)

There is a lot of talk in Buddhism about merit. I think the word merit sounds a bit like a good grade in school or some star the teacher puts in the book.

* Is merit something that follows my thoughts and actions as a
  consequence?
* Or is merit more like an acquired disposition to act and think in certain ways?
* Or perhaps it's both an acquired disposition and a consequence?
* Are we born with a certain "amount" of merit due to karma?
* How does a person know that s/he is accumulating merit?

**Tags:** personal-practice, karma, ethics, merit


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-12-04. Score: 2

There is here a 119 pages [transcript of a teaching given by Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi](http://www.fpmtabc.org/download/teaching/geshe-chonyi/bp/tathagataessence/Reference/BP%202%20Module%206%20-%20Tathagata%20Essence-Summary25.pdf), in which he answers that exact same question. Search for 'what is merit' and you will find the answer, page 26. Although Khenrinpoche's answer is not extremely precise (it that it might not stand debate) there are greatly illuminating points:

* In one way, merit and virtue are the same. **In general**, virtue is 'virtuous karma', for it is a cause of the fruitional effect of happiness [in the aspect of pleasant feelings, and so forth].

Additionally, a collection of merits is:

1. The virtuous imprint that is left in the mind
2. A non-associated composition factor (like karmic imprints, so it stands to say they are the same in general)
3. A cause of the Form Body [whereas the collection of wisdom results in the Truth Body]

He also adds:

> I would think that, the meaning of the word accumulate in the
> phrase accumulate the collection of merit would mean that, doing
> something repeatedly such that, a real impression, mark, imprint is
> left on the mind . This is the meaning of to accumulate .

Being virtuous karmic imprints, it is produced by every virtuous intention (like for instance the virtuous intention to give, which is generosity) as well as any virtuous bodily or verbal action. Being virtuous karmic imprints, it must also have the same 4 types of result, one of them being the resultant tendency concordant to the cause. It means you will have a seemingly natural tendency, and liking for, say, practicing generosity and so forth.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2015-12-04. Score: 0

Pleasantness is a synonym for good/merit (puṇya/puñña).  
[Mettasutta](https://suttacentral.net/pi/an7.62)

> “Mā, bhikkhave, **puññānaṃ** bhāyittha. Sukhassetaṃ, bhikkhave,
> adhivacanaṃ yadidaṃ puññāni.."

Bhikkhus, do not fear to do good. Pleasantness is a synonym for good. Bhikkhus, I know of enjoying the results of pleasing and agreeable good, done long ago...


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### Answer by username_3 on 2015-12-06. Score: 0

Merit is any thought, deed or word based on generosity, compassion and / or wisdom. When we are born we bring our store of Karma from your past lives. During this life we consume the results of this store as well as accumulate new Karma.

You know you are accumulating Karma when you delight on experiences that you perceive and favorable, averse to experiences that you perceive as unfavorable and not aware of the arising and passing nature of experiences that are neutral. In other words you are clinging or craving to sensual input and clinging to conceptualisations that follow.


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