Kamma-Kusala & Ñāṇa-Kusala
Action-Merit and Wisdom-Merit
An exploration of two fundamental concepts in Buddhist practice, based on the teachings of Dr. Soe Lwin (Mandalay).
“ Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā saṃbuddhassa”
The Two Forms of Merit
Action-Merit (Kamma-Kusala)
This is the merit gained from wholesome actions performed with pure intention (cetanāIntention, volition, or will. The Buddha declared intention to be kamma (action).). These are physical and verbal acts of generosity, morality, and reverence.
Example:
Offering lights to the Buddha, driven by the wholesome intention to pay homage to the Buddha. Each act of lighting a candle is an instance of action-merit.
Action-merit leads to favorable outcomes within saṃsāraThe endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, characterized by suffering., such as good rebirths, but does not by itself lead to liberation.
Wisdom-Merit (Ñāṇa-Kusala)
This higher form of merit arises from mindfulness and insight. It is the wisdom that observes the nature of reality—specifically, the impermanence (aniccaImpermanence, one of the three marks of existence.) of mental and material phenomena.
Example:
While performing an action (like lighting a candle), one is mindfully aware of the intention (cetanā) that arises and ceases with each act. This mindful observation is wisdom-merit.
Wisdom-merit weakens the binding power of kamma and leads directly towards NibbānaThe ultimate goal of Buddhism: the cessation of suffering and the cycle of rebirth., the ultimate liberation.
From a Seed to a Tree: An Analogy
The text compares action-merit to a banyan seed and wisdom-merit to the vast banyan tree that grows from it. Wisdom-merit arises by relying on action-merit, transforming its potential into something far greater.
Action-Merit (Seed)
Wisdom-Merit (Tree)
The Threefold Training
The essence of all Buddhas’ teachings can be summarized in three core principles, which form the foundation of VipassanāInsight meditation, a practice to see things as they really are. practice.
Refrain from actions of body, speech, and mind that are rooted in greed (lobhaGreed, attachment, or desire. One of the three unwholesome roots.), aversion (dosaAversion, hatred, or ill will. One of the three unwholesome roots.), and delusion. Mindfulness is the key to recognizing and avoiding these states.
Cultivate wholesome qualities (kusalaWholesome, skillful, meritorious. Actions rooted in non-greed, non-hatred, and non-delusion.) through generosity (dānaGenerosity, giving.), morality (sīlaMorality, ethical conduct.), and meditation (bhāvanāMental cultivation, meditation.). These actions are driven by wholesome intentions.
This goes beyond simply doing good and avoiding evil. It means purifying the mind of all defilements, especially the deep-rooted misconception of a permanent, independent “ self” (attāSelf, soul, ego. The belief in a permanent self is a core delusion to be overcome.). This is achieved through insight into the nature of not-self (anattāNot-self, soullessness. The doctrine that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul.).
The Four Aspects of Right Effort (Sammapadhāna)
Abandon Existing Unwholesome Qualities
When an unwholesome state (like anger or greed) arises, make an effort to generate a wholesome state (like mindfulness or loving-kindness) in the next moment. The wholesome state naturally displaces the unwholesome one.
Prevent Future Unwholesome Qualities
By continuously maintaining a state of mindfulness and wholesome thought, you prevent the conditions for future unwholesome states to arise. Mindfulness acts as a safeguard.
Generate New Wholesome Qualities
Strive to develop wholesome qualities you haven’t cultivated before, especially the skill of being mindful of the preceding mind-moment with the subsequent mind-moment. This is the heart of developing wisdom-merit.
Cultivate Existing Wholesome Qualities
Continuously develop and expand the wholesome qualities that have already arisen, such as insight (vipassanāInsight meditation, a practice to see things as they really are.) and the factors of the Path (maggaThe Noble Eightfold Path that leads to the cessation of suffering.), until they reach full maturity.
English 
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