Merit (Latin meritum), in general, is understood to be that property of a good work which entitles the doer to receive a reward (prœmium, merces) from him in whose service the work is done. By autonomasia, the word has come to designate also the good work itself, insofar as it deserves a reward from the person in whose service it was performed. In Catholic theology, a supernatural merit can only be a salutary act (< ...

Including:

• Merit -
  Catholic Doctrine
• Merit - NATURE OF MERIT
• Merit - The existence of merit
• Merit - CONDITIONS OF MERIT
• Merit - THE OBJECTS OF MERIT
• Merit - External Sources

Read more here: » Merit: Encyclopedia - Merit

As the main purpose of this article is to vindicate the Catholic doctrine of the meritoriousness of good works, the subject is treated under the four following heads: Merit - NATURE OF MERIT. If we analyse the definition given above, it becomes evident that the property of merit can be found only in works that are positively good, whilst bad works, whether they benefit or injure a third party, contain nothing but demerit (demeritum) and consequently deserve punishment. Thus the good workman certain ...

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Merit, Merit -
Catholic Doctrine, Merit - NATURE OF MERIT, Merit - The existence of merit, Merit - CONDITIONS OF MERIT, Merit - THE OBJECTS OF MERIT, Merit - External Sources

Read more here: » Merit: Encyclopedia II - Merit -
Catholic Doctrine

Merit and Virtue

These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, there is a crucial difference:

• merits are the blessings (wealth, intelligence, etc.) of the human and celestial realms; therefore, they are temporary and subject to Birth and Death.
• Virtues, on the other hand, transcend Birth and Death and lead to Buddhahood.

Four virtues are mentioned in Pure Land Buddhism: eternity; happiness; True Self; purity.

An identical action (e.g., charity) can lead either to merit or virtue, depending on the mind of the practitioner, that is, on whether he is seeking mundane rewards (merit) or transcendence (virtue).

Thus, the Pure Land cultivator should not seek merits for by doing so, he would, in effect, be choosing to remain within samsara. This would be counter to his very wish to escape Birth and Death.

 (See also: Merit and Virtue , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Merit Dictionary

Dedication of Merit

See "Transference of Merit."

 (See also: Dedication of Merit , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Merit Dictionary

punya: (Sanskrit) "Holy; virtuous; auspicious."

1)    Good or righteous.

2)    Meritorious action.

3)    Merit earned through right thought, word and action.

Punya includes all forms of doing good, from the simplest helpful deed to a lifetime of conscientious beneficence. Each act of punya carries its karmic consequence, karmaphala, "fruit of action" - the positive reward of actions, words and deeds that are in keeping with dharma. Awakened psychics who have developed clairvoyant sight can clearly see the punya accrued in the inner subconscious aura as a colorful, freeflowing, astral, light-energy, pranic substance.

Punya is seen as light-hued, pastel colors, whereas its counterpart, papa, is seen as shades of darker colors which are usually static and immovable. These arrangements of the papa shades and punya hues are not unlike the free-expression paintings found in modern art. Punya colors produce inner contentment, deep joy, the feeling of security and fearlessness. Papa can be dissolved and punya created through penance (prayashchitta), austerity (tapas) and good deeds (sukritya).

Punya is earned through virtuous living, following the multi-faceted laws of dharma. Punya depends on purity of acts according to various factors including

1)   the karma and evolution of the individual,

2)    degree of sacrifice and unselfish motivation and

3)    time and place. For example, virtuous deeds, sadhana, tapas and penance have greater merit when performed in holy places and at auspicious times.

The Tirukural (105) states that "Help rendered another cannot be measured by the extent of the assistance given. Its true measure is the worth of the recipient." In other words, a small act done for a great and worthy soul carries more punya than even a large act performed for a lesser person. (Opposite of papa.)

See: aura, karma, papa, penance.

(See also: Punya , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Merit Dictionary

Although recommendations for creation of a Meritorious Service Medal were initiated as early as September 1937, no formal action was taken toward approval. In a letter to the Quartermaster General (QMG) dated December 24, 1941, the Adjutant General formally requested action be initiated to create a Meritorious Service Medal and provide designs in the event the decoration was established. Proposed designs prepared by Bailey, Banks, and Biddle and the Office of the Quartermaster General were provided to Assistant Chief of Staff G1 (Colonel Hea ...

See also:

Legion of Merit, Legion of Merit - Criteria, Legion of Merit - Degrees, Legion of Merit - History, Legion of Merit - Notable recipients, Legion of Merit - Appearance

Read more here: » Legion of Merit: Encyclopedia II - Legion of Merit - History

papa: (Sanskrit) "Wickedness; sin, crime."

1)    Bad or evil.

2)    Wrongful action.

3)    Demerit earned through wrongdoing.

Papa includes all forms of wrongdoing, from the simplest infraction to the most heinous crime, such as premeditated murder. Each act of papa carries its karmic consequence, karmaphala, "fruit of action," for which scriptures delineate specific penance for expiation.

Those who have awakened psychic sight can clearly see papa in the inner subconscious aura as a colorful, sticky, astral substance. Papa is seen as dark unrelated colors, whereas its counterpart, punya, is seen as pastels. The color arrangements are not unlike modern art murals. Papa colors can produce disease, depression, loneliness and such, but can be dissolved through penance (prayashchitta), austerity (tapas) and good deeds (sukritya).

There are specific consequences, karmaphala, "fruit of action," that result from each type of transgression of dharma. For example, a man who steals from his neighbors creates a cosmic debt which may be repaid later by having his own possessions taken away.

There are also specific penances, prayashchitta, that can be performed for atonement and the accrual of punya (merit) to balance out the papa, the negative karma of the wrongful act. Such disciplines are provided in the various Dharma Shastras and prescribed by knowing preceptors, panditas, shastris, swamis, yogis and village elders according to the varna and education of the individual. For example, the Laws of Manu give several types of penance for the crime of murder, including

1)    making a forest hut and subsisting there on alms for twelve years and using a human skull as one's emblem; or

2)    walking 100 yojanas (900 miles), while reciting the Vedas, eating little and remaining continent.

A contemporary example: if a man fells a large healthy tree, he may atone by planting ten trees and ensuring that at least one grows to replace it. The degree of papa accrued from an action depends on various factors, including the karma, dharma and spiritual advancement of the individual, the intent or motivation, as well as the time and place of the action (for example, unvirtuous deeds carry great demerit when performed in holy places). Papa is the opposite of punya (merit, virtue).

See: evil, karma, penance, punya, sin.

(See also: Papa , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Merit Dictionary

Salvation is arguably one of the most important Christian spiritual concepts, perhaps second only to the deity of Jesus Christ. Among Christians, the primary goal of religion is to attain salvation. Others maintain that the primary goal of Christians is to do the will of God, or that the two are equivalent. In many traditions, attaining salvation is synonymous with going to heaven after death, while most also emphasize that salvation represents a changed life while on Earth as well. Many elements of Christian theo ...

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Salvation, Salvation - Christian views of salvation, Salvation - Catholicism, Salvation - Protestantism, Salvation - Evangelical Christians, Salvation - Eastern Christianity, Salvation - New Testament passages, Salvation - Other passages, Salvation - Islam, Salvation - Hinduism, Salvation - Buddhism, Salvation - Pagan

Read more here: » Salvation: Encyclopedia II - Salvation - Christian views of salvation

The Thai Buddhist Calendar

With important days for ceremonies and rituals, including: Visakha Puja, Magha Puja, Asalha Puja, Khao Phansa, Ok Phansa, Tod Kratin

Read more here: » Buddhism: Thai Buddhist Calendar

It is commonly believed that Buddhism involves long hours of meditation and is devoid of elaborative pujas (prayers) and ceremonies associated with prayer-offerings. People also think that Gautam Buddha was against an organised religion and propounded Buddhism minus the offerings and ceremonies to undermine the priestly class who exploited the common masses with religious superstitions. But the fact is Buddhism has elaborate ceremonial prayer offerings, especially its Mahayana and Vajrayana forms.

Read more here: » Buddhism: Prayers In Buddhism

reincarnation: "Re-entering the flesh." Punarjanma; metempsychosis. The process wherein souls take on a physical body through the birth process.

Reincarnation is one of the fundamental principles of Hindu spiritual insight, shared by the mystical schools of nearly all religions, including Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism (and even by Christianity until it was cast out by the Nicene Council in 787). It is against the backdrop of this principle of the soul's enjoying many lives that other aspects of Hinduism can be understood. It is a repetitive cycle, known as punarjanma, which originates in the subtle plane (Antarloka), the realm in which souls live between births and return to after death. Here they are assisted in readjusting to the "in-between" world and eventually prepared for yet another birth.

The quality and nature of the birth depends on the merit or demerit of their past actions (karma) and on the needs of their unique pattern of development and experience (dharma). The mother, the father and the soul together create a new body for the soul. At the moment of conception, the soul connects with and is irrevocably bound to the embryo. As soon as the egg is fertilized, the process of human life begins. It is during the mid-term of pregnancy that the full humanness of the fetus is achieved and the soul fully inhabits the new body, a stage which is acknowledged when the child begins to move and kick within the mother's womb. (Tirumantiram, 460: "There in the pregnant womb, the soul lay in primordial quiescence [turiya] state. From that state, Maya [or Prakriti] and Her tribe aroused it and conferred consciousness and maya's evolutes eight- desires and the rest. Thus say scriptures holy and true.")

Finally, at birth the soul emerges into earth consciousness, veiled of all memory of past lives and the inner worlds. The cycle of reincarnation ends when karma has been resolved and the Self God (Parasiva) has been realized. This condition of release is called moksha. Then the soul continues to evolve and mature, but without the need to return to physical existence. How many earthly births must one have to attain the unattainable? Many thousands to be sure, hastened by righteous living, tapas, austerities on all levels, penance and good deeds in abundance.

See: reincarnation, evolution of the soul, karma, moksha, nonhuman birth, samsara, soul.

(See also: Reincarnation , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Merit Dictionary

A dictionary Of Siddha Yoga Terminology. From Abhanga to Yogini.

Please note that all words in grey, like "enlightenment" or "kundalini" are hyperlinked to archives further explaining the term. At the corresponding archive you will also find articles related to the term.

For more dictionary entries, see » Merit Dictionary

When Boddhidharma, was presented to the emperor of China, the ruler of the Middle Kingdom recounted the many great works of charity he had performed for his people, of the places of worship he had built and the religious ceremonies he had conducted.

“Tell me then”, he asked Boddhidharma, “having done all these good works, what is the merit I have earned for myself?” And the sage replied gruffly: “None whatsoever”. The Emperor was outraged. “Who is it who dares to speak to me in such an impudent manner?” he demanded. And Boddhidharma looked at the Emperor and said, “No one at all”.

This story is central to the teachings of Zen Buddhism that Boddhidharma took with him from India to China.

(See also: Zen Buddhism , God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Zen Buddhism: Mapless Journeys Beyond the Self  

Body And Soul: The individual souls are eternal, manifold, eternally separate from one another, and distinct from the body, senses and mind; and yet capable of apprehension, volition, desire, aversion, pleasure, pain, merit and demerit. They are infinite, ubiquitous or omnipresent and diffused everywhere throughout space. A mans soul is as much in New York as in Bombay, although it can only apprehend and feel and act where the body is. The soul and the mind are not objects of perception.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Body And Soul: Vedic Philosophy - Body And Soul

Buddhist Festivals and Special Days

There are many special or holy days held throughout the year by the Buddhist community. Many of these days celebrate the birthdays of Bodhisattvas in the Mahayana tradition or other significant dates in the Buddhist calendar. The most significant celebration happens every May on the night of the full moon, when Buddhist all over the world celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha over 2,500 years ago. It has become to be known as Buddha Day.

Read more here: » Buddhism: Buddhist Festivals and Special Days

The Vaiseshika system takes its name from Visesha or particularity which is the characteristic differentia of things. The aphorisms of Kanada contain the essence of the Vaiseshika philosophy. The principal subject treated therein is Visesha, one of the six Padarthas or categories enumerated by the founder.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Vaiseshika: Hindu Philosophy - The Vaiseshika

Sandhyopasana literally means - worship at the junctions of time. - It is a prayer and worship offered to the Lord at the junction (Sandhi) of night and morning, forenoon and afternoon and at the junction of evening and night. The Arghyapradana to the sun and the meditation on and recitation of Gayatri, form the heart of the worship. Properly understood, the whole Sandhya is an earnest prayer addressed to the Lord to forgive all ones sins committed during ones routine, daily activities and to bestow illumination and grace.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Sandhyopasana: Worship at the junctions of time - Sandhyopasana

Buddhism: Buddhist Customs

Buddhist tradition has developed many different customs and practices in different parts of the world. However, two customs are basic to all traditions: Venerating the Buddha and The exchange of gifts.

Read more here: » Buddhism: Buddhist Customs

Buddhism: Funeral Rites as practiced in Thailand and other South East Asian Countries.

Funeral rites are the most elaborate of all the life-cycle ceremonies and the ones entered into most fully by the monks. It is a basic teaching of Buddhism that existence is suffering, whether birth, daily living, old age or dying. This teaching is never in a stronger position than when death enters a home. Indeed Buddhism may have won its way the more easily in Thailand because it had more to say about death and the hereafter than had animism.

Read more here: » Buddhist Rites: Buddhist Funeral Rites

 The Benefits of Practicing Kriya Yoga

The science of Kriya Yoga is the most precious technique for God-realization. It is very simple, it is easy to perform, and it gives the quickest results. With the help of the scientific technique of Kriya Yoga, a person perceives the triple divine qualities of the Soul, and through concentration on the divine qualities, he overcomes, within a short time, all the obstacles of the deep-rooted mental impressions, and becomes established in divine consciousness

Read more here: » Kriya Yoga: The Benefits of Practicing Kriya Yoga