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

อธิบายบทตั้งTo explain: The words "the accumulation of merit" mean always doing good, doing it again and again, until goodness builds up and becomes a habit. This saying teaches that such accumulation of merit brings happiness. It is the opposite of the saying that the accumulation of evil brings suffering, and it shows that what we accumulate in life determines whether our life will be happy or unhappy.

ขยายความบทตั้งIn the Dhammapada, the Buddha said that if a person makes merit, he should make it again and again and take delight in it, because the accumulation of merit brings happiness. In another place he said that one should not look down on merit, thinking that it is small and will surely bring no result, because a water jar is filled by drops of water falling one drop at a time; the wise one, accumulating merit little by little, becomes full of merit. Small good deeds done regularly therefore have more power than great good deeds done only occasionally.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑After leaving this world, wealth, relatives, and rank cannot follow. Only merit is the support that protects beings in the next world. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Saṃyutta Nikāya, Sagāthāvagga:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: The word "support" means something that gives protection and comfort and helps one escape from danger. As for "the next world", it means the state of existence in which beings are reborn after their life in this world has ended. This saying teaches that merit is the support of all beings in the next world; in other words, after one leaves this world, no possessions, relatives or rank can follow one. Only the merit and evil one has done follow along, and merit is the one thing that can protect one.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑In this world, human beings have many supports: parents are the support of their children, relatives and friends are a support in times of hardship, and possessions are a support for making a living. But these supports have their limits; when the time comes to leave this world, they cannot follow. Buddhism teaches that beings are the owners of their kamma and the heirs of their kamma; whatever kamma they do, good or evil, they will receive its result. After one leaves this world, therefore, all that follows is the kamma one has done. Merit that has been well made receives its maker in the next world, just as relatives gladly welcome a dear relative who has long been away when he arrives home safely. Merit is therefore the true support in the next world.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn real life, a person who gets up early to offer alms food every day, chants before going to sleep and regularly helps others, even if he does only a little each day, will after many years have a clear and bright mind, be happy and be loved by people. A student who reviews his lessons a little every day has firmer knowledge than one who studies hard only on the night before the examination. The accumulation of goodness works in the same way.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish for lasting happiness should therefore do good every day, without choosing between small and great and without waiting for special occasions, because accumulated goodness becomes the foundation of happiness throughout life. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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