བསོད་ནམས། | Glossary of Terms

Merit refers to the wholesome tendencies imprinted in the mind as a result of positive and skillful thoughts, words, and actions that ripen in the experience of happiness and well-being. According to the Greater Vehicle, it is important to dedicate the merit of one’s wholesome actions to the benefit of all beings, ensuring that others also experience the results of the positive actions generated.

Wholesome tendencies imprinted in the mind as a result of positive and skillful thoughts, words, and actions that ripen in the experience of happiness and well-being. According to the Mahāyāna, it is important to dedicate the merit of one’s wholesome actions to the benefit of all sentient beings, ensuring that others also experience the results generated by the positive actions.

An accumulation of positive karma that ripens into a positive result.

Positive activity that is conducive to happiness and freedom from suffering; the resulting spiritual momentum that enables one to progress on the path.

Wholesome tendencies imprinted in the mind as a result of positive and skillful thoughts, words, and actions that ripen in the experience of happiness and well-being. According to the Mahāyāna, it is important to dedicate the merit of one’s wholesome actions to the benefit of all beings, ensuring that others also experience the results generated by positive actions.

Virtuous thoughts, words, and actions that produce positive results, or merit. In Mahāyāna practice, these are to be dedicated for the benefit of all sentient beings. Also rendered here as “meritorious deeds.”

Virtuous thoughts, words, and actions that produce positive results, or merit. In Mahāyāna practice, these are to be dedicated for the benefit of all sentient beings.

The karmic potential that accumulates through good actions and which in the future results in happiness and good fortune.

In this text, merit is established as the most prized possession of human beings, more than good looks, diligence, artistry, and insight. In Buddhism more generally, merit refers to the wholesome tendencies imprinted in the mind as a result of positive and skillful thoughts, words, and actions that ripen in the experience of happiness and well-being. According to the Mahāyāna, it is important to dedicate the merit of one’s wholesome actions to the benefit of all sentient beings, ensuring that others also experience the results of the positive actions generated.

See “merit.”