GammaGlobulin Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 (edited) Just curious concerning the various ways members here Make Merit while living in Thailand? What is your favorite way to Make Merit? Making Merit is crucial to a happy life in Thailand, not to mention our hopes to live a happy life in the next life? Regards, Gamma Note: I realize that many here do Make Merit, and I want to know the best ways. (Please note: The question marks in the Topic are typos. I will replace my defective keyboard, very soon. But, I will not purchase on Lazada.) Edited February 4 by GammaGlobulin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jvs Posted February 4 Popular Post Share Posted February 4 Most people i see making merit make sure others see how good they are. Real merit is treating people with respect and dignity. It is not giving money to a temple in full view but helping people anonymously. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 Just now, jvs said: Most people i see making merit make sure others see how good they are. Real merit is treating people with respect and dignity. It is not giving money to a temple in full view but helping people anonymously. Still, in all seriousness, allowing others to see one's good deeds while in Thailand is a good thing. Not only in Thailand, but also in Japan. In order to become an accepted member of village life in Japan, it is necessary to do good deeds for the village community. There is nothing wrong with this, and a lot right with this, I believe.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 I usually get stopped in the shopping malls by people collecting for charities such as orphans, deaf, blind or elephant farms. I donate money, but politely decline the goods they offer in return. There is a very old woman who I encounter occasionally, walking the road between my GF's village and her home village. Compared with her face, a prune is as smooth as a baby's bum. She goes between villages to help with funerals, for which she is paid in food. Every time I see her, I stop and give her 100 baht. She is delighted, every time. I can't understand a word she says. I suppose helping people who are less fortunate than me might be making merit, but I don't know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Lacessit said: I usually get stopped in the shopping malls by people collecting for charities such as orphans, deaf, blind or elephant farms. I donate money, but politely decline the goods they offer in return. There is a very old woman who I encounter occasionally, walking the road between my GF's village and her home village. Compared with her face, a prune is as smooth as a baby's bum. She goes between villages to help with funerals, for which she is paid in food. Every time I see her, I stop and give her 100 baht. She is delighted, every time. I can't understand a word she says. I suppose helping people who are less fortunate than me might be making merit, but I don't know. Making Merit is an integral feature of the culture in Thailand. Happy to hear that you are in step with this custom/tradition. Note: Not a bad Topic for a Saturday/Sunday, a time for reflection. Edited February 4 by GammaGlobulin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uttradit Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 16 minutes ago, jvs said: Most people i see making merit make sure others see how good they are. Real merit is treating people with respect and dignity. It is not giving money to a temple in full view but helping people anonymously. Did you want my bank details? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uttradit Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 I ring the bell 3 times and wai. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinnock Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 I don't believe in the 'making merit' philosophy, and as my Mother used to say "no good deed ever goes unpunished, - but I do get pleasure from helping others, although I don't expect a reward in return apart from my personal enjoyment and the big smiles. The most fun I had a few Christmases ago was dressing up as Santa's and taking a big sack of toys and food to Khlong Toey and handing things out to the kids. Providing meals at a local community school is also fun ... that's my birthday tradition. But the master of this is the Sunrise Taco's guy and the Bangkok Community Help Foundation. They add real value to the community. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 19 minutes ago, Kinnock said: I don't believe in the 'making merit' philosophy, and as my Mother used to say "no good deed ever goes unpunished, - but I do get pleasure from helping others, although I don't expect a reward in return apart from my personal enjoyment and the big smiles. The most fun I had a few Christmases ago was dressing up as Santa's and taking a big sack of toys and food to Khlong Toey and handing things out to the kids. Providing meals at a local community school is also fun ... that's my birthday tradition. But the master of this is the Sunrise Taco's guy and the Bangkok Community Help Foundation. They add real value to the community. Actually, I do recall your comment about this, and I was suitably impressed by your idea of the Santa suit. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proton Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 My wife deals with all such matters, not my culture 😃 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf001 Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 I set aside, 5 minutes everyday to not tell people to go <deleted> themselves. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike007 Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 There are many ways in this world to make merit, showing great love and respect to other people, being generous with people who deserve your generosity, extending yourself whenever possible, being a very decent human being, paying honor to our elders, and helping homeless people from time to time. The list is endless if one wants to do good in this world there is no end to how much we can help others, if we're in a position to do so. The least effective way in this world to make merit is to donate your money to a temple. That is just sloth and laziness, in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlyai Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 Marry a Thai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf001 Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 22 minutes ago, spidermike007 said: extending yourself whenever possible used to be a 10 min turn around time. these days I need the blue pills. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StayinThailand2much Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 (edited) 2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said: Making Merit is an integral feature of the culture in Thailand. Happy to hear that you are in step with this custom/tradition. Note: Not a bad Topic for a Saturday/Sunday, a time for reflection. Personally, I prefer giving food, or I do good deeds for people who don't need it. Cash only if I have nothing else, or, sometimes, as a tip for people, I think could need it. (I never show off, like is often the case in Thailand.) Edited February 4 by StayinThailand2much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StayinThailand2much Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 (edited) 1 hour ago, spidermike007 said: The least effective way in this world to make merit is to donate your money to a temple. That is just sloth and laziness, in my opinion. I used to 'wai' every monk when I was new in Thailand, to the amusement of my company. Nowadays, however, I have no respect for Thai monks, and I wouldn't trust them with donations. One just needs to read about the millions some monks have accumulated in their bank accounts. Nuff said... Edited February 4 by StayinThailand2much 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uttradit Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 1 hour ago, Ralf001 said: I set aside, 5 minutes everyday to not tell people to go <deleted> themselves. Or whisky at 8am whilst doing a wai at a Buddha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uttradit Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 Just now, StayinThailand2much said: I used to 'Wai' every monk when I was new in Thailand, to the amusement of my company. Nowadays, I have no respect for Thai monks, and I wouldn't trust them with donations. One just needs to read about the millions some monks have accumulated in their bank accounts. Nuff said... Watch them walk on highways from town to town barefoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemsta69 Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 8 minutes ago, uttradit said: Watch them walk on highways from town to town barefoot Buddhism is a scam and you must have a very weak mind if you fall for it. But hey, keep scouring the one-horse towns of Thailand trying to find enlightenment baby bird 🤣🤣🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 1 hour ago, carlyai said: Marry a Thai. Handsome couple, we all must admit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgrahmm Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 My wife handles the Thai traditional way of merit.... I help & assist people as a situation might dictate.... Since I rescued a Bangkaew soi dog in our MuBaan a few years back I've kind of become the surrogate father to a few (about 6) of the others.... All great animals that others have basically thrown away.... With just a little bit of individual attention there is not a bad dog in the bunch.... I'll help with their daily needs + administer their rabies shots, etc as I've earned their trust.... While we were gone for 4 months our daughters and neighbors took an active interest & carried on with their care....I was glad for that.... Not sure it's Merit worthy..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StayinThailand2much Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 (edited) 4 hours ago, pgrahmm said: My wife handles the Thai traditional way of merit.... I help & assist people as a situation might dictate.... Since I rescued a Bangkaew soi dog in our MuBaan a few years back I've kind of become the surrogate father to a few (about 6) of the others.... All great animals that others have basically thrown away.... With just a little bit of individual attention there is not a bad dog in the bunch.... I'll help with their daily needs + administer their rabies shots, etc as I've earned their trust.... While we were gone for 4 months our daughters and neighbors took an active interest & carried on with their care....I was glad for that.... Not sure it's Merit worthy..... I saved the life of an almost drowned Thai guy last year who had floated for, at least, 20 minutes in the sea 'head under' without anyone on the beach or in the water nearby caring. - Did I do this for merit, or for being advantaged in a future life? No, it was just the 'normal' thing to do. Edited February 4 by StayinThailand2much 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 6 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said: I saved the life of an almost drowned Thai guy last year who had floated for, at least, 20 minutes in the sea 'head under' without anyone on the beach or in the water nearby caring. - Did I do this for merit, or for being advantaged in a future life? No, it was just the 'normal' thing to do. Hardly the normal thing to do. I could not have done this, and I bet few could. Nice going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf001 Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 7 hours ago, uttradit said: Or whisky at 8am whilst doing a wai at a Buddha Nah, I don't wai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prubangboy Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 In the Myanmar Lineage, your merit is compounded by offering up your accrued merit to others, partic. neutral others, or people you do not know. You might also offer up merit to people you don't like, in the hopes of it bringing reconciliation. Someone else's merit is also useful to a sick loved one. Offering up merit accrued from a vipassana mediation sitting is partic. valuable, but you must not let the ego intrude. So quite the merit triple-accruing hat trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike007 Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 16 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said: I used to 'wai' every monk when I was new in Thailand, to the amusement of my company. Nowadays, however, I have no respect for Thai monks, and I wouldn't trust them with donations. One just needs to read about the millions some monks have accumulated in their bank accounts. Nuff said... My respect for them is fairly limited too. One likes to see some sort of example. Show me, do not tell me. Same applies for priests and rabbis too, and especially Imams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColeBOzbourne Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 21 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said: (Please note: The question marks in the Topic are typos. I will replace my defective keyboard, very soon. But, I will not purchase on Lazada.) I make merit by kindly pointing out errors made by others so that they might do better in the future. Is it possible that you meant "quotation marks" instead of "question marks"? Sorry, I couldn't resist. Have a good one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted February 5 Author Share Posted February 5 1 hour ago, ColeBOzbourne said: I make merit by kindly pointing out errors made by others so that they might do better in the future. Is it possible that you meant "quotation marks" instead of "question marks"? Sorry, I couldn't resist. Have a good one! If the question marks were typos, then they would most likely be quotation marks, full colons, or the ?Greater Than? symbol. However, they are not typos, is my belief. Maybe an AI artifact? I should use my video camera with macro lens to uncover tis mystery... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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