Merit with Outflows or Without? Which Kind Are You Nourishing?

Did you know that in the ancient city of Benares, there was a couple whose wealth rivaled that of an entire nation? Yet, in less than twenty years, they were reduced to begging for their daily meals. The Buddha once smiled when he saw them and told Ananda, "That couple is the richest in this city of Benares. Their inheritance is inexhaustible. Yet, in less than twenty years, they have become beggars." What caused such immense fortune to vanish so quickly? The answer lies in how we use our blessings from merit.

### Two Paths: Merit with Outflows and Without

According to Venerable Thich Chan Quang, merit is not fixed in its nature. It can be merit with outflows—worldly joys like beauty, health, wealth, and fame—or merit without outflows, which leads to enlightenment and liberation. The crucial factor is where we direct our mind/heart.

Merit with outflows allows us to enjoy worldly pleasures. However, its danger is that it inflates the ego. When the ego grows, greed, hatred and delusion also increase. We become prone to arrogance and resentment, potentially leading to harmful actions. Venerable Chan Quang illustrated this by saying, "When you are poor and someone calls you foolish, you might feel slight anger and move on. But if you are wealthy and powerful, and someone insults you, you might command your servants to seize them and cut out their tongue."

### The Story of Great Wealth: When Merit with Outflows Leads to Decay

The Dhammapada tells the story of the couple known as Great Wealth, heirs to two of the most affluent families in Benares. They inherited such vast riches that they felt no need to learn business or cultivate virtue. They spent their lives in indulgence, gambling, and extravagance. After just twenty years, they were forced to beg. The Buddha explained, "Their merit was enormous. Had they used it from the start to ordain and practice, they could have attained the fruit of Arhatship. Even practicing at home, they could have reached the stage of Non-Returner. But because they did not know how to cultivate, they exhausted all their merit. Both merit without outflows and merit with outflows vanished, leaving them as beggars."

The Buddha taught this verse: "One who does not live the holy life in youth and does not gather wealth, sits idly like an old crane beside a pond, too weak to catch fish." This image depicts a person who lets merit slip away uselessly, left with no capacity to achieve anything further.

### Do Not Waste Merit: Directing Toward the Unconditioned

Venerable Chan Quang emphasized that merit is not inherently bound to outflows or free from them. The same act of making offerings can yield different results based on one’s intention. For instance, offering flowers at the Buddha altar for beauty or academic success creates merit with outflows. But offering them with the aspiration for enlightenment, like the bodhisattva Sumana, transforms that merit into merit without outflows.

"Merit is not fixed; it depends on where the mind directs itself. Each of us holds a certain amount of merit within our stream of karma. If we have abundant merit but constantly dream of worldly things, that merit flows immediately into worldly outcomes." Therefore, those who understand the Dharma should not harbor many worldly desires. "All your merit will be consumed by worldly matters. Then, creating new merit for spiritual practice becomes extremely difficult." Instead, we should channel our merit toward the cultivation of enlightenment. Merit without outflows is infinite because, upon spiritual realization, we connect with the absolute and boundless.

### Signs of Correct Practice: Seeing One’s Own Faults

In his talk, Venerable Chan Quang shared a practical sign to recognize whether one is practicing correctly. A practitioner who becomes humble, careful, quiet, and aware of their own faults shows signs of wisdom. Conversely, if one talks more, boasts, feels superior, and criticizes others, they have strayed from the path.

"The sign of wisdom is knowing one’s own faults... Thus, seeing faults is crucial in practice. Once you see your faults, humility arises." He recounted a student asking, "Why do I feel irritation and notice my mistakes when I begin to practice?" The teacher replied, "For a good practitioner, the first sign of correct wisdom is recognizing one’s own errors." By seeing these faults, we can amend them and let go of the ego. As the ego dissolves, we approach non-self (anatta), the destination of liberation.

### Prince Bodhi and Awareness Before Karma

The second story involves Prince Bodhi, who had a past-life wish for great insight. When the Buddha visited his home, the prince laid fresh cloth from the street to the Buddha’s seat, inviting him to walk over it. The Buddha refused. Ananda explained that the Buddha thought of the poor who lacked clothing. Awakened, the prince rolled up the cloth and offered it to the needy. Only then did the Buddha enter to receive food. Later, the prince asked if he would have a wise son. The Buddha replied, "You will not have a son of great insight." Why? In a past life, shipwrecked on a deserted island, the couple survived only by eating eggs and baby birds, creating heavy karma through killing.

The Buddha taught this verse: "If one loves oneself, one must protect oneself well. The wise remain vigilant throughout the three watches of the night." Venerable Chan Quang explained, "Karma surrounds us, always waiting to cause us to make one mistake after another. Therefore, the wise must remain alert and careful throughout life to avoid error." Never underestimate small actions, for they can generate significant karmic consequences.

### Maintaining Mindfulness in Daily Life

To apply these teachings, Venerable Chan Quang guided us on maintaining mindfulness. During meditation, there are five steps: sitting in the correct posture, keeping the body soft and still, being clearly aware of the whole body, contemplating impermanence (anicca) of the body, and following the breath. In daily life, simply maintain clear awareness of your entire body. If your mind is free, remember that this body is subject to impermanence.

"For example, let us practice now: we are about to listen to the dharma talk for one and a half hours. Throughout this time, follow the teaching while remaining aware of your whole body. Let us begin this practice today." This is taking refuge in oneself, preventing the body and mind from being dragged by worldly cravings. Those who maintain mindfulness live with awareness in every moment, not blinded by merit with outflows, nor committing unconscious errors.

Through Venerable Thich Chan Quang’s dharma talk, we understand that merit is not meant for satisfying the ego. It is precious capital to nourish the spirit and guide us toward liberation. Ask yourself: "How am I using my merit? Am I nurturing merit with outflows or merit without outflows?" Begin practicing today: maintain mindfulness, stay aware of your body, see your own faults, and dedicate all merit to awakening. This is the way to take refuge in yourself—to light your own lamp and walk forward, just as the Buddha taught.