manas wrote:Sorry if my post offends, but I just wanted to point out an issue in Buddhism, and some other religions, that I find a little disturbing. It is the idea of 'making merit' for oneself, by 'doing good works'. It sounds just a little calculating and self-serving to me. If I have an apple in my hand, and before me I see a starving beggar child, and a plump arahant on alms round, I will give the apple to the starving beggar child, yes even if that means I miss out on a million 'merit points' and a thousand years of feasting in Heaven. Give where there is the greatest need, not where it will make things better for oneself. And on the side of 'demerit' - the reason I don't kill little bugs, isn't because I would would incur a reaction for doing so; the reason I don't kill them, is because I feel for them, I have empathy for these little creatures. Same with human beings. How sad that some folks actually need to be threatened with pain and suffering, so that they restrain themselves from inflicting it on others.
Manas, as the Buddha said, one should give where the heart feels most inspired. If you want your gift to bear great fruit, though, he recommends giving it to those free of greed, hatred and delusion. In giving to an arahant, you're not just making things better for oneself, you're making things better for the world. The existence of people free of defilement makes the world a better place. They radiate goodness, are rare instances of beings who successfully advocate harmlessness to all beings; and what's more, they can teach others to free themselves of defilements. Defilements, i.e. greed, hatred and delusion, are the most terrible diseases there are, afflicting countless beings everywhere. The only person who can cure one's defilements is oneself. In cleaning them out of your mind you're doing a service to the world. Giving to someone free of defilement puts you closer to the path of being free from them yourself.
This is my view, I hope it's not misrepresenting the truth, and that it's helpful to you.
Best wishes,
Cormac