อารัมภบทI shall now explain and expand upon the meaning of the Dhamma theme written above, as a guide for study and practice.

อธิบายบทตั้งTo explain: This saying teaches that when one gives, merit increases. The word "merit" (puñña) means goodness that cleanses the mind and is a cause of happiness. Every time a person gives with a mind of self-sacrifice, merit arises in the mind and accumulates more and more, like water dripping into a jar one drop at a time: although each drop is small, when it drips constantly, the jar can become full.

ขยายความบทตั้งMerit is said to increase when one gives because, at the moment of giving, the giver's mind lets go of a portion of stinginess, and greed, a defilement that makes the mind narrow, grows weaker. The mind therefore becomes broader and clearer. This is merit that can be seen in the present. The more often one gives, the more giving becomes a habit, and the more firmly the mind is established in goodness. This saying of the Buddha appears together with the words "when one keeps restraint, enmity does not arise", which shows that giving makes goodness increase, while restraint prevents evil from arising. These two go together as a pair in living a good life.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑The fruit of giving does not depend only on the amount or the price of the gift but on the mind of the giver. Even a small gift, given with a mind full of faith, bears great fruit. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Vimānavatthu:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying teaches that the fruit of giving does not depend only on the quantity or the price of what is given, but depends above all on the mind of the giver. The words "the mind is full of faith" mean a mind that is clear with faith, that believes in merit and is glad to give. As for "offering" (dakkhiṇā), it means a gift given with respect, or given to honour virtue. When the giver's mind is full of faith, that gift cannot be called a small gift at all.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The reason for this is that merit arises in the mind. Giving that is accompanied by good intention at all three times, that is, being glad before giving, having a clear mind while giving, and being delighted without regret after giving, bears great fruit. Conversely, when a great deal is given reluctantly, given out of a wish to look good, or regretted afterwards, the mind is defiled, and the fruit of that gift diminishes in accordance with the defilement of the mind. Therefore a poor person who has faith can make merit no less than a rich person, provided he gives with a pure mind.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn real life, one who begins by offering just one ladleful of rice to the monks each day, after doing so for a long time, feels joy in the mind and wants to do more other good deeds, such as helping with work at the monastery, keeping the precepts or donating to help society. A student who helps the teacher carry things or helps friends tidy the classroom, when he does so often, becomes a kind-hearted person whom everyone loves. Giving only a little but regularly can therefore build up great merit in the long run.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish for merit should therefore not wait until they have much wealth before doing it, but should diligently give according to their means at every opportunity, because every time one gives, merit increases immediately, and that merit is a treasure that follows one everywhere. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

ปิดท้ายThus has the meaning been explained, as set forth above.