Significance of Meritorious act
Meritorious act, as understood in various spiritual traditions, refers to actions performed with the intention of generating good karma and spiritual benefits. In Buddhism, it encompasses good deeds aimed at accruing positive outcomes for oneself and others. Jainism highlights virtuous actions that derive from past lives. Similarly, different schools, such as Vaishnavism and Theravada, emphasize actions that foster spiritual growth and yield beneficial outcomes for individuals and communities. Overall, meritorious acts are essential for enhancing one's spiritual journey and ensuring favorable rebirths.
Synonyms: Praiseworthy act, Virtuous act, Laudable act, Exemplary act, Exemplary behavior, Noble act
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Meritorious act'
In Buddhism, a meritorious act encompasses actions taken with virtuous intentions that generate good karma, benefitting both the individual and others, enhancing spiritual growth, ethical behavior, and leading to positive outcomes in future rebirths.
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) Actions that are morally good and beneficial, requiring the presence of 'sila' for their proper execution.[1] (2) Benevolent deeds performed by Mahapajapati Gotami and her companions that accumulated blessings leading to favorable rebirths.[2] (3) Actions performed with good intention and awareness that contribute positively to one's spiritual progress and the well-being of others.[3] (4) Collective efforts of the community led by Yasorata to contribute towards constructing the cetiya, seen as virtuous and beneficial.[4] (5) Good deeds performed by the lion, establishing his virtues and contributing to his spiritual growth and future rebirths.[5]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) Good deeds performed by individuals aiming for spiritual advancement, sometimes recognized by earlier Buddhas.[6] (2) Good deeds performed by individuals, such as offerings and acts of service, believed to yield positive results in future rebirths.[7]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) A virtuous or beneficial action that offers positive outcomes for the doer and others.[8] (2) The human world offers plenty of opportunities for performing meritorious acts that lead to favorable outcomes.[9]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) A deed that brings spiritual merit, contributing to the moral and ethical development of an individual.[10] (2) A deed performed by the Bodhisatta with the intention of achieving a higher spiritual state.[11]
From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada
(1) Actions performed with the intention of earning merit, which may lead one to a higher plane of existence.[12]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) The good karma or merit accrued from giving gifts, which is seen as directed primarily toward the Order.[13]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) An action performed with good intentions that results in spiritually beneficial outcomes, which for the ascetic led to divine rewards.[14] (2) An action performed with the intent of generating good karma and spiritual benefit, such as offering honey to the Master.[15] (3) Actions performed with the intention of accruing good karma and benefits for oneself and others, generating a cyclic bond of rebirth.[16] (4) An action deemed virtuous and beneficial within the spiritual context, influencing one's spiritual journey.[17]
From: Lotus Sutra
(1) Meritorious acts refer to deeds that generate positive karma and contribute to spiritual growth and benefit for oneself and others.[18]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) Positive deeds or actions that accumulate good karma, leading to better outcomes in rebirth.[19]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) Good deeds performed for the benefit of the Buddhist community and the Doctrine, contributing to one's spiritual merit.[20]
Hindu concept of 'Meritorious act'
In Hinduism, a meritorious act is any virtuous action that fosters spiritual growth, accrues positive karma, and promotes righteousness, particularly through good deeds, sacrifices, and devotion, often resulting in favorable spiritual outcomes and benefits.
From: Padma Purana
(1) Positive deeds performed that lead to spiritual benefits and purify one's soul, especially in the context of religious rituals.[21] (2) Acts of piety and devotion that are believed to carry significant spiritual and worldly benefits.[22] (3) Actions characterized by virtue and goodness that contribute to one's spiritual merit and influence one's destiny.[23] (4) Refers to a righteous deed that leads to positive outcomes, including increased fame and blessings.[24] (5) Deeds that are deemed to be virtuous and beneficial, especially those performed during the sacred month of Magha, leading to spiritual growth.[25]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) Actions considered virtuous that lead to spiritual rewards, such as witnessing the gift of a cow or performing devout rituals.[26] (2) A deed that earns spiritual merit, such as helping devotees during their pilgrimage.[27] (3) A deed leading to spiritual benefit, which in this context refers to the actions taken in relation to the Pishacamocana Tirtha for erasing sins.[28] (4) Good deeds that bring merit and lead to heavenly rewards for those who bathe in Kardamala.[29] (5) A virtuous deed that results in good karma; within the context, it refers to the younger brother of Indradyumna's priest who sees Nilamadhava.[30]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) Actions performed that are deemed virtuous, often tied to religious or ethical obligations in the Vedic context, particularly regarding progeny and lineage.[31] (2) The positive deeds diminished by answering falsely or not answering at all in an assembly.[32] (3) A good deed or positive action from a previous life that influences one's current circumstances, as experienced by the Candala.[33] (4) Actions performed collectively with the right motivation that bring happiness and spiritual benefits.[34] (5) Good deeds or actions performed with a sense of duty that lead to spiritual merit.[35]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The virtuous deeds of great men lauded across the three worlds.[36] (2) Good deeds or actions that generate positive karma and spiritual merit, relevant to the duties of the enlightened.[37] (3) Good deeds and actions that yield positive spiritual outcomes or rewards.[38] (4) Good deeds and pious actions that Sikhidvaja believed attracted the divine presence of Kumbha.[39] (5) Deeds performed with virtue that yield positive consequences across various lifetimes.[40]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) Pious deeds or actions that are performed to accumulate spiritual merit and please the deities.[41] (2) Good deeds that generate positive karma and spiritual benefits for the doer.[42] (3) The good deeds performed by Nriga, which contributed to his elevated status before death.[43] (4) The commendable deeds performed by the flute that allow it to enjoy the nectar from Krishna’s lips, highlighting its status in relation to the Gopis.[44] (5) Good deeds expected to be performed by Nanda and Yashoda in their devotion to Krishna.[45]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Holding Rudraksham is considered a highly commendable and virtuous spiritual practice.[46] (2) The belief held by the Candala that killing the Rakshasi, believed to eat children, would earn him great religious merit.[47] (3) Good deeds performed to earn spiritual merit, especially during auspicious times in sacred places.[48] (4) Actions that are virtuous and good, contributing to the accumulation of positive Karma.[49] (5) An action that is considered virtuous and beneficial for spiritual progress.[50]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) Deeds or rituals that result in spiritual merit, impacting one's spiritual journey and leading towards liberation.[51] (2) The good deeds and devotion of Marisha which are highlighted as essential to her character development and blessings.[52]
From: Bhagavadgita
(1) Acts that contribute positively to one's spiritual journey and are recognized as virtuous.[53]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki
(1) Actions that are commendable and contribute positively to one's legacy and the community.[54]
From: Brahmanda Purana
(1) An act performed with goodness and in accordance with righteousness, often associated with Brahmanas.[55]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) Good deeds performed by individuals that accumulate positive karma and can lead to favorable outcomes in the afterlife.[56]
From: Linga Purana
(1) Actions that are virtuous and commendable, especially in the context of preparation and installation of the Linga.[57]
From: Matsya Purana (critical study)
(1) A deed performed as an act of devotion or austerity that earns religious merit.[58]
From: Bhagavad-gita Mahatmya
(1) Deeds that are virtuous and contribute to one's spiritual advancement, highlighted in the narrative.[59]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) Any deed that accrues spiritual merit; in the story, the acts of the hunter and the animals involve themes of sacrifice for the greater good.[60]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Good deeds performed by individuals which contribute towards their righteousness and virtue.[61] (2) An action carried out with spiritual intent or goodwill, which can influence the degree of impurity experienced after carrying a dead body.[62] (3) An action performed with the intent of achieving virtue or spiritual benefit, leading to positive outcomes.[63] (4) Religious duties and sacrifices whose completion is thought to increase one's spiritual merit, such as the Jyotishtoma and Agnihotra.[64] (5) An acknowledgment that becoming endowed with the merits from sacrificial performances is a resultant benefit for one killed in battle.[65]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) An action that is deemed virtuous and worthy of earning spiritual merit.[66]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) An action deemed virtuous or worthy, specifically referring to the act of worshipping Krishna.[67]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) An action that generates spiritual merit, particularly in relation to imparting sacred knowledge.[68]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad
(1) Positive deeds which reward jiva with favorable rebirth or ascendance to higher spiritual realms.[69]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) An action that is virtuous or beneficial, implied in the context of what the flute has performed.[70]
From: Shishupala-vadha (Study)
(1) Actions performed by a brahmana that contribute positively to the community and are believed to enhance the king's fortune.[71]
Jain concept of 'Meritorious act'
In Jainism, a meritorious act signifies virtuous actions recognized as transient by Padmottara, while also reflecting the accrual of good deeds from past lives, enhancing one's comprehension of teachings from enlightened beings.
From: Yogadrstisamuccaya of Haribhadra Suri (Study)
(1) Good deeds accumulated from previous births that contribute to an individual's understanding of teachings from omniscient persons.[72]
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) Actions that are deemed virtuous, which Padmottara recognizes as fleeting and temporary.[73]
The concept of Meritorious act in local and regional sources
The term "Meritorious act" encompasses good deeds, such as a widow’s flower offerings, virtuous actions by an adopted child, and the sacred nature of land donations, all enhancing spiritual merit for both giver and receiver.
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) Good deeds performed by the adopted child, in contrast to those who did not act virtuous.[74] (2) Good deeds performed by the widow woman, such as making flower offerings to a statue of Buddha.[75]
From: Impact of Vedic Culture on Society
(1) The belief that donating property, especially land, is a highly virtuous and sacred action benefiting both the donor and recipient.[76]