Merit Welcomes You: The Story of Nandiya and Lessons from the Dhammapada

Have you ever asked yourself, "Where will I go after death?" This is a question many people only voice when facing loss. However, in the Dhammapada, the Buddha answered with a vivid story about Nandiya, a wealthy young man who was devout and charitable throughout his life but passed away at a very young age. From a worldly perspective, he seemed unfortunate. Yet, the truth revealed a profound surprise.

## Early Death Is Not Misfortune

Nandiya was the only son of a rich family. He had been devoted to the practice since childhood, regularly making offerings to the Sangha and helping the poor. When his mother pressured him to marry, he resisted. So, she taught a girl named Revati how to pretend to be a sincere Buddhist follower to win his heart. Revati complied, they married, and together they practiced and accumulated merit. With their vast wealth, they continued to give generously, perfecting their merit day by day.

Then Nandiya died young. People might say, "He had thin blessings, so he died early!" But this was not true. His merit shook the heavens. When Venerable Moggallana ascended to the Trayastrimsa Heaven, he saw a magnificent palace waiting for its owner. He knew it was destined for Nandiya, because the human realm was no longer worthy of him.

Do not assume that someone who dies early is unhappy. Be careful, for it may simply mean this human realm is no longer suitable for them. They must move on. These are the words of Venerable Thich Chan Quang.

## Merit Is Our True Homeland

The Buddha used a beautiful image to teach this truth: "A traveler who has been away from home for a long time returns safely. Relatives and friends come out to welcome them with joy." Just as a person returning from a long journey is greeted by family and friends, those who do good deeds are welcomed by their own merit when they leave this temporary world. Merit is our kin; it is our true homeland.

Our homeland is created by our merit. If we understand this, we will no longer fear death. We know that if we have planted enough goodness, even when we discard this body, we return to a safe place, like a child coming home to be embraced by loving parents.

## Sincere or Pretend Devotion: The Lesson of Revati

Alongside Nandiya’s story, the scripture tells us about his wife, Revati. She was not truly devout but pretended to achieve her goal of marrying into a wealthy family. Her mother-in-law taught her the trick: "You must appear religious, make offerings, and visit temples so he will accept you." When her husband died and she inherited the fortune, she revealed her true nature. She stopped respecting the Triple Gem, slandered the Sangha, and lived harshly and bitterly. As a result, she fell into hell.

Devotion must be sincere. If one pretends to be religious for calculated reasons, the spiritual mind lacks stability. This lesson reminds each of us not to turn the Triple Gem into a tool for worldly gain. Approach the Buddha with a sincere heart, free from calculation. Only through genuine intent can spiritual practice endure.

## Protecting the Mind Against Wrong Views

Even if we sincerely respect the Triple Gem, we must guard our minds. Negative speech and wrong views from outside can infiltrate and shake our faith if we lack sufficient merit. Venerable Chan Quang teaches us to look inward and see if we waver when hearing falsehoods. If we are shaken, it means our merit is insufficient to protect our mind.

If a person has enough merit to protect their mind, wrong views cannot enter. But if merit is lacking, just two or three negative comments can cause immediate wavering. Therefore, strive to accumulate merit so your mind becomes solid as rock. The more merit you have, the less you are swept away by harmful words and misinformation.

## Merit Makes Every Step Welcome

Merit also manifests in our current daily life. A person full of merit is trusted, loved, and respected wherever they go. Conversely, those with little merit are often treated coldly or looked down upon. Venerable Chan Quang shared a story about a wealthy woman who came to the temple to sweep leaves. Tourists mistook her for a beggar and gave her money. This was due to past karma, which prevented others from recognizing her status.

Your merit ensures you are welcomed wherever you go. Without sufficient merit, people remain indifferent toward you. Thus, if you wish to be welcomed and respected, do not try to change your appearance. Instead, cultivate merit. Merit makes you attractive and dignified in the eyes of others.

## Practice: Do Not Just Listen to the Dharma, Live It

Finally, all these lessons hold value only when we put them into practice. Venerable Chan Quang once said, "Listening without practicing is still better than not listening at all." Remember, attending teachings is a good condition, but stopping there is not enough. Merit must be accumulated hour by hour through practice, doing good, and keeping precepts.

Listening without practicing is still preferable to never listening. Do not wait until death approaches to start accumulating merit. Begin today: spend a few minutes chanting the Buddha's name, offering food to hungry ghosts, and helping those around you. If possible, join retreats so that each week adds to your merit and spiritual virtue.

Through Nandiya’s story, we clearly see that our true "homeland" is not where we were born, but the merit we build ourselves. Those who do good, even if they die young, are welcomed by the heavens. Those who do evil, even if they live long, receive only suffering. So, live each day meaningfully. When you must leave this temporary world, walk forward in joy, like a child returning home after a long absence, welcomed warmly by your own merit.