ตัวอย่างเรียงความแก้กระทู้ธรรม

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 ๑Doing evil again and again until it builds up into a habit brings suffering, for each evil act is like a drop of water falling into a vessel, which in the end fills up. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Dhammapada:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: The words "the accumulation of evil" mean doing evil again and again, until that evil builds up more and more and becomes a habit. This saying teaches that such accumulation of evil brings suffering, because each evil deed is like a drop of water dripping into a vessel: when it keeps dripping, the vessel eventually becomes full.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑In the Dhammapada, the Buddha warned: if a person should do evil, he should not do it again and again, and should not take delight in it, for the accumulation of evil brings suffering. Many people think that small evils do not matter, such as telling a small lie or taking a little of other people's things, but it is precisely this way of thinking that makes evil accumulate more and more. Once one has done it until it becomes habitual, the mind no longer feels ashamed, and greater evils can easily follow. In the end, suffering arrives, in the form of legal punishment, disgrace and distress of mind.

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.

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 word "merit" means the goodness that arises in the mind from giving, keeping the precepts, developing meditation and doing other good deeds. This saying teaches that merit is a treasure that thieves cannot carry off, unlike external wealth such as money and gold, houses, cars and jewellery, which may be stolen, burnt in a fire, swept away by a flood or lost at any time.

ขยายความบทตั้งIn the sutta from which this saying comes, there are questions: What is good until old age? What is good when firmly established? What is the treasure of human beings? And what cannot be carried off by thieves? The answers are: virtue is good until old age, faith is good when firmly established, wisdom is the treasure of human beings, and merit cannot be carried off by thieves. The reason thieves cannot carry off merit is that merit is not kept in a safe or in a bank, but in the mind of the one who makes it. No one can reach in and steal it, no natural disaster can destroy it, and that merit follows its maker everywhere, even across lives.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑When a person understands that nothing can be taken along after death, they diligently make merit while still alive, so that this merit may be a warm support in the life to come. 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, we can see that some people with great wealth may one day lose everything because they are cheated, their business goes bankrupt or they meet with a disaster. But the good they have done, such as helping others, honesty and kindness, remains in people's memory and often leads others to reach out and help them in hard times. For a student who has sincerely helped his friends, that goodness always remains his own; no one can take it away.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish for wealth that is secure and safe should therefore not accumulate only external wealth, but should always accumulate merit, because merit is the true wealth that is never lost. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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

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.

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 praises the excellence of virtue. "Unsurpassed" means supreme, with nothing higher. In this context it emphasises the value of good conduct as something important and worthy of honour, because virtue helps a person restrain body and speech, refrain from harming others, and is an essential foundation for living together in peace.

ขยายความบทตั้งVirtue is valuable to society because it restrains actions that cause trouble. When people refrain from killing and harming one another, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and drinking intoxicants that lead to heedlessness, the causes of conflict and damage are reduced and trust in living together increases. Keeping the precepts is therefore not only a private matter, but also a responsibility towards the peace of the community.

ขยายความบทตั้งBesides its benefit for living together, virtue is also a foundation that supports training the mind and developing wisdom. One who keeps the precepts has reason not to be troubled by his own wrongdoing. This freedom from remorse helps the mind become ready for training in concentration, and when the mind is steady, it supports careful and accurate reflection on things as they really are. This also requires study, training and right reflection. Virtue, concentration and wisdom are thus qualities that support one another in developing life.

ขยายความบทตั้งIn the Sīlavīmaṃsana Jātaka and its commentary, a venomous snake is praised as virtuous because it does not bite or harm anyone. This story uses the quality of not harming to show the value of virtue: even an animal that people fear is praised when it does not harm others. People should therefore see the importance of restraining their conduct and not use their strength or abilities to cause trouble for anyone.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑When a person keeps virtue firmly, even in old age, when other things decline, virtue remains a goodness that gives benefit and dignity to their life. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Saṃyutta Nikāya, Sagāthāvagga:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: The word "virtue" (sīla) means good conduct, the restraint of body and speech so that they are proper, by refraining from harmful actions and words. As for the words "right up to old age", they mean until one reaches old age. The saying "sīlaṃ yāva jarā sādhu", meaning "Virtue brings benefit to fulfilment right up to old age," teaches that virtue has value and supports life at every stage of life. Whether one is a child, an adult or an elderly person, keeping the precepts is always good and always brings benefit.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑In the Jarā Sutta of the Saṃyutta Nikāya, Sagāthā Vagga, a deity asked the Buddha what it is that brings benefit to fulfilment until old age, and he replied that it is virtue. The commentary explains this point by comparison with external ornaments, to show that virtue is a beauty fitting for people of every age, in childhood, in middle age and in old age. Although the beauty and strength of the body change with time, the value of good conduct does not diminish merely because a person grows older. One who keeps the precepts can therefore maintain his goodness until old age.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The benefit of virtue lies not only in gaining the love or praise of others, but also in not causing trouble through harming others, dishonesty and lying. One who keeps the precepts has reason to feel at ease when he recalls his own conduct. Moreover, honesty and not taking advantage of one another help to build trust in living together. Keeping the precepts continuously is therefore a training that makes good conduct firmer, and it supports both oneself and society.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn daily life, a community where people are honest and do not steal from or harm one another has a good foundation for safety and a pleasant life. Working people who are not corrupt and do not deceive help build trust in working together. Students who do not take their friends' belongings without permission, do not lie and do not bully others help make the classroom a place where everyone can live together comfortably. These examples show that the value of virtue appears in the lives of people of all ages.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish to live well should therefore keep their virtue firm, together with developing the mind and wisdom, and encourage others to see the benefit of not harming through appropriate words and by setting a good example. When each person takes responsibility for his own conduct, he helps support a peaceful society. This benefit both to oneself and to the community shows the excellence of virtue. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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

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 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.

ขยายความบทตั้งIn 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.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑External wealth can be stolen or lost at any time, but merit, the goodness that arises in the mind, is a treasure that no thief can carry off, and so it is a more secure possession. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Saṃyutta Nikāya, Sagāthāvagga:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: The word "merit" means the goodness that arises in the mind from giving, keeping the precepts, developing meditation and doing other good deeds. This saying teaches that merit is a treasure that thieves cannot carry off, unlike external wealth such as money and gold, houses, cars and jewellery, which may be stolen, burnt in a fire, swept away by a flood or lost at any time.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑In the sutta from which this saying comes, there are questions: What is good until old age? What is good when firmly established? What is the treasure of human beings? And what cannot be carried off by thieves? The answers are: virtue is good until old age, faith is good when firmly established, wisdom is the treasure of human beings, and merit cannot be carried off by thieves. The reason thieves cannot carry off merit is that merit is not kept in a safe or in a bank, but in the mind of the one who makes it. No one can reach in and steal it, no natural disaster can destroy it, and that merit follows its maker everywhere, even across lives.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn real life, a person travelling to a foreign land must prepare provisions and funds in advance, otherwise he will have difficulties when he arrives. The journey to the next world is the same: merit is the provision that must be prepared. One who lives heedlessly and has never done good will have no provisions with him when the time comes to travel, while one who has made much merit travels with a warm heart, like a person who has relatives waiting to welcome him at his destination.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who understand the truth of life should therefore not be heedless, but should prepare a support for the next world by making merit while they still have the opportunity, through giving, keeping the precepts and training the mind to be clear and bright. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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