From one perspective, merit is “ability”; all the abilities, in fact, that make it possible for us to hear, contemplate, meditate on and practise the dharma, including the ability to feel curious.
These days our merit is so limited that the vast majority of human beings are unable to recognise how special dharma is. Not only do we lack the merit to practise the dharma, we have so little that we can’t even enjoy samsaric life.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
from the book Not for Happiness: A Guide to the So-Called Preliminary Practices
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Further quotes from the book Not for Happiness:
- Intention to benefit all sentient beings
- Sadness
- The decision to follow a spiritual path
- Absolutely nothing genuinely works
- The merit of maintaining mindfulness
- Right intention
- As they truly are
- Merely the product of your own perception
- To reject your aggression is a weakness
- Dharma is not a therapy
- Spiritual practice is like riding a bicycle
- Maintaining a strong grip on the habits
- Everything we experience is a product of mind
- The signs of progress
- It’s all a matter of motivation
- Adapting the Dharma
- No substitute for being guided by a guru
- Wealth is contentment
- Mind-made illusions
- No end to samsara’s sufferings