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  <title>107 - Merit Making </title>
  <description>In this episode, we look at creating merit by intentionally engaging in activities that are good karma. Merit, or good karma, propels our spiritual practice forward. Thus accumulating merit is a central activity of a bodhisattva, one striving for enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, as well as those who believe in the law of karma.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;amp;nbsp; Ten merit-making activities&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;amp;nbsp;  Giving (dāna ) Observing the moral precepts (sīla ) Meditation (bhāvanā ) Showing respect to one's superiors (apacāyana ) Attending to their needs (veyyāvacca ) Transferring merit (pattidāna ) Rejoicing at the merit of others (pattānumodana ) Listening to the Dharma, that is, the Buddha's teachings (dhammasavana ) Preaching the Dharma (dhammadesanā ) Having right beliefs (diṭṭhijjukamma )  &amp;amp;nbsp; Guru Padmasambhava said, “My realization is higher than the sky. But my observance of karma is finer than grains of flour.” &amp;amp;nbsp; One is not a mendicant&amp;amp;nbsp; Just because one begs from others.&amp;amp;nbsp; Nor does one become a mendicant&amp;amp;nbsp; By taking on domestic ways. But whoever sets aside&amp;amp;nbsp; Both merit and evil,&amp;amp;nbsp; Lives the chaste life,&amp;amp;nbsp; And goes through the world deliberately Is called “a mendicant.” (266–267)*&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;amp;nbsp; Not by silence&amp;amp;nbsp; Does an ignorant fool become a sage.&amp;amp;nbsp; The wise person, who,&amp;amp;nbsp; As if holding a set of scales,&amp;amp;nbsp; Selects what’s good and avoids what’s evil&amp;amp;nbsp; Is, for that reason, a sage.&amp;amp;nbsp; Whoever can weigh these two sides of the world&amp;amp;nbsp; Is, for that reason, called “a sage.” (268–269)* —Buddha, The Dhammapada &amp;amp;nbsp; References Buddha.The Dhammapada. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. (Kindle). Shambala, Boston and London, 2011, pp. 69-70 (Link) &amp;amp;nbsp; </description>
  <author_name>Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox</author_name>
  <author_url>http://JoannFox.net</author_url>
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