พระอาจารย์ขยายความโอวาทหลวงพ่อว่ายิ่งดวงบุญโต อธิษฐานบารมีหรือผังสำเร็จก็ยิ่งหนาแน่นขึ้นจนถึงระดับที่พญามารกันไม่อยู่ พร้อมแนะนำวิธีสั่งสมบุญง่ายๆ ผ่านสัมมาสติ และหลักการให้ทานที่สำคัญในภาวะเศรษฐกิจฝืดเคืองPra Ajarn expands on the teacher's teaching that the bigger the sphere of merit, the denser the blueprint of accomplishment behind a wish becomes — until it grows too strong for any obstacle to block. He also offers simple ways to accumulate merit through right mindfulness, and key principles for giving during difficult economic times.
Someone asked Pra Ajarn to expand on the teacher's teaching that the bigger the sphere of merit grows, the denser the blueprint of accomplishment behind our wish becomes — until it reaches a point where even the strongest obstacles can no longer hold it back.
The Bigger the Merit, the Surer the Wish
Pra Ajarn explains that we live in a world of exchange — nothing comes for free. Merit is what brings subtle treasure into the center of our sphere of merit; the purer the merit, the greater the value of that treasure. When we set an intention onto a sphere of merit we've continuously built up, that blueprint grows denser and denser until it reaches a strength no unwholesome force can obstruct any longer, and the wish comes true. Pra Ajarn shares a story from the teacher: someone donated land and wished only to "own beautiful land" — the result was beautiful plots, but not necessarily large ones, because size was never part of the wish. Another story, from an earlier era, tells of someone who wished to keep working at their company "until the very last person left" — and indeed became the last employee remaining when the company eventually declined. Whatever the wish, the result follows exactly what was asked.
Accumulating Merit Simply, Through Right Mindfulness
Pra Ajarn explains that the easiest way to accumulate merit is through — staying aware without lapsing, whether standing, walking, sitting, or lying down. Keep precepts so the sphere of morality stays bright, and practice meditation until the recitation becomes second nature, running automatically. Once this is achieved, the current of merit flows in continuously throughout the day — brightness isn't something to wait for; it arises naturally once the mass of grows dense enough.
Principles of Giving in Difficult Economic Times
Someone asked what should take priority in the perfection of giving during difficult economic conditions. Pra Ajarn explains that every human being is born with some subtle treasure according to the merit they already carry. The more one shares and supports others, the more new merit draws in additional treasure. Offerings made to support the religion serve to elevate the goodness of people's minds throughout the world. The world's shared treasure flows through those who give genuinely and consistently — as the teacher once said, the temple survives because "big giants help small giants," meaning those with more support those with less. Pra Ajarn encourages resolving to be a bringer of good fortune to others through right and wholesome body, speech, and mind — never pressuring anyone — and life will change for the better as a certainty.