Making Merit

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The custom of making merit is based on the very sensible Thai saying, ‘if you do good, you will receive good, and if you do evil, you will receive evil’. Many Thai people generate positive Karma for themselves based on this idea by contributing practical necessities such as food, clothes and money to Buddhist monks to complete the triple merit-making requirements of giving alms, praying and following the rules laid down by their religion.

The monks themselves abstain from earthly indulgences and aim to live pure lives, walking the streets in the early hours of the morning carrying bowls, solely to offer people the opportunity to gain merit by making offerings to them.

The concept began, so the story goes, with the Buddha himself: people who passed him as he meditated so admired his composure, tenacity and strength of faith that they gave him gifts as tokens of respect.

Thousands of years later, it is possible not only for Buddhists but for visitors to Thailand to make merit, though the process is one of strict rules of politeness and tradition, so it is always a good idea to ask advice from locals before going ahead – and always be sure to show your gratitude to the recipient of your gifts, since after all, you will be ‘burying the treasure of the future’.

At some temples it is possible to leave flowers or buy live birds, turtles or fish, the release of which can gain merit for the purchaser, and involving another person in your good deeds will enable you to store up even more good luck for the future.

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