Don’t Underestimate a Small Merit It Could Change Your Destiny
Introduction: Why Even Small Merits Matter
Have you ever thought, “I’m too busy,” “I have no money,” or “I don’t know how” when it comes to doing good deeds? You’re not alone. Many of us feel like we need something big time, money, effort to do something meaningful. But here’s the secret: even the tiniest act of kindness or merit can change your future in ways you can’t even imagine.
From ancient Buddhist texts to real-life modern reflections, there’s deep truth in the idea that no merit is ever wasted. You don’t need riches. You don’t need hours of free time. All you need is a genuine heart and a good intention.
Let’s uncover why you shouldn’t miss out even on a small merit.
The Misconception: You Need a Lot to Do Good
“I Have No Money” – A Popular Excuse
You don’t need to donate millions to be considered generous. Sometimes, a simple act like offering water to a thirsty person can bring you more merit than giving gold with pride.
“I Don’t Have Time” – But You Scroll for Hours
If you have time to scroll through social media or binge-watch a series, you have time to light a lamp, smile at someone, or simply think good thoughts for others. Merits are not about quantity they’re about quality and intention.
“I Don’t Know How” – But You Can Learn
Doing good is not rocket science. If you can speak, think, or move, you can do something good. You can refrain from lying. You can speak kindly. You can help a bug off the road. It’s that simple.
The Buddha’s Teachings: Merit is Not Measured by Size
In the teachings of the Buddha, small acts done with a pure heart have immense value. The Pali Canon is filled with short, sweet stories of seemingly tiny deeds that led to immense heavenly rewards.
Here are just a few gems from ancient stories.
The Story of the Mud Hole and the Dead Cow’s Skull
Once, Venerable Maha Moggallana met a radiant god in a heavenly realm. Curious, the monk asked how the god earned such blissful rebirth. The god replied:
“Bhante, in my human life, I saw a muddy hole in the road. People were struggling to pass. So, I placed an old cow’s skull over it so they could step across safely. That’s all I did. Now look where I am.”
This one act simple, selfless, small led to a luxurious rebirth in the heavens. Isn’t that amazing?
The Woman with the Luffa Flowers and the Mad Bull
Another time, a woman was walking to a pagoda with just three luffa flowers to offer. She never made it. A crazy bull attacked her, and she died before she could even offer them.
But here’s the twist she was immediately reborn in a heavenly realm. Why?
Because of the pure, joyful intent she had in her heart. She wanted to offer something to the Buddha, and even that wish became powerful merit.
The Daughter-in-Law and the Old Pittu
One more beautiful example: A young daughter-in-law secretly offered an old piece of pittu (a Sri Lankan rice-based food) to a passing monk. Her mother-in-law, upon discovering this, beat her badly with a stick.
That young woman later died from her injuries but was instantly reborn in a heavenly world. Why?
Because the act of sharing even something old with a heart of giving created an ocean of merit.
Read This Story for Deeper Understanding
The Story of Bilalapadaka
Mavamannetha punnassa - na mandam agamissati
udabindunipatena - udakumbhopi purati
dhiro purati punnassa - thokam thokampi acinam.
One should not think lightly of doing good, imagining 'A little will not affect me'; just as a water-jar is filled up by falling drops of water, so also, the wise one is filled up with merit, by accumulating it little by little.
Noble Friends,
Once, a man from Savatthi, having heard a discourse given by the Supreme Buddha, was very much impressed and decided to practice what was taught by the Supreme Buddha. The practice was to give in charity not only by oneself, but also by getting others to do so in order for one to gain much merit and have a large number of followers in the next existence. So, that man invited the Supreme Buddha and all the resident bhikkhus in Jetavana monastery for alms-food the next day. Afterwards, he went around to each of the houses and informed the lay residents that alms-food would he offered the next day to the Supreme Buddha and the other bhikkhus, hoping that they would contribute according to their wishes.
The rich man Bilalapadaka seeing the man going around from house to house disapproved of his behavior and felt a strong dislike for him and muttered to himself, "O this wretched man! Why does he try to give beyond his capacity when he could just offer alms to some of the monks, instead of going around urging other people to do so?" So, eventually the man went to Bilialapadaka’s shop to obtain alms food for the Buddha and the Sangha and he only put a little rice, only a little butter. As he presented the food, he did so in a rather stingy manner, using only three fingers. Like a cat’s paw, which appears as if it has three fingers, he got his name Bilalapadaka, which means exactly that; a cat’s foot.
These were taken away separately and not mixed with what others had given. The rich men could not understand why his things were kept separately, and he thought perhaps that man wanted others to know that a rich man like himself had contributed very little to put him to shame. Therefore, he sent a servant to find out.
In reality, the charitable person put a little of everything that was given by the rich man into various pots of rice and curry so that the rich man could gain much merit. His servant reported what he had seen, but Bilalapadaka did not get the meaning and was not sure of the intention of the charitable person. However, the next day he went to the place where alms-food was being offered. At the same time, he took a knife with him, intending to kill the chief charitable person, if he were to reveal in public just how little a rich man like him had contributed.
But this charitable person said to the Supreme Buddha, "Venerable Sir, this charity is a joint offering of all; whether one has given much or little is of no account; each one of us has given in faith and generosity, so may all of us gain equal merit." When he heard those words, Bilalapadaka realized that he had wronged the man and pondered that if he were not to own up his mistake and ask the charitable person to pardon him, he would be reborn in one of the four lower worlds. So he said, "My friend, I have done you a great wrong by thinking ill of you; please forgive me." The Buddha heard the rich man asking for pardon, and on inquiry found out the reason. So, the Buddha said, "You should not think lightly of a good deed, however small it may be, for small deeds will become big if you do them habitually."
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
One should not think lightly of doing good, imagining 'A little will not affect me'; just as a water-jar is filled up by falling drops of water, so also, the wise one is filled up with merit, by accumulating it little by little.
Meritorious devotees, the moral of the story is that every little bit counts. If you perform many small good deeds, they will eventually pile up into much merit for you in the future. Thus, meritorious children, take every opportunity to perform good deeds, no matter how small they may seem, since in the future they will bring you much merit when considered overall.
This story from the Buddha’s era will open your heart even more. These aren’t fairy tales. These are preserved teachings from ancient scriptures like the Vimanavatthu, where each story proves: Merit doesn’t care about size it cares about sincerity.
What is Merit, Really?
Merit (Pali: puñña) is the positive energy we generate by doing wholesome, virtuous deeds. It purifies our mind, brings peace, and even shapes our rebirths.
Here are ways to earn merit without spending a single rupee:
-
Smile at someone genuinely
-
Wish well for others silently
-
Refrain from harming or lying
-
Help animals, even insects
-
Pick up trash from a road
-
Offer water or food, even a little
-
Share Dhamma with love
-
Meditate for a few minutes
-
Chant or think good thoughts
The Real Cost of Not Doing Merits
When people say, “I’ll start later,” or “What difference can one act make?” they are unknowingly throwing away gold. Every second without merit is a second you’re not investing in your own happiness now and in future lives.
Imagine a poor man turning away a treasure chest because he thinks it’s too small to matter. That’s what it’s like when we ignore small opportunities to do good.
Merits Compound Like Interest
Just like saving a few rupees daily grows into thousands, doing a few small good deeds every day creates massive spiritual wealth. The more you do, the more you become drawn to goodness, and the easier it becomes.
It’s About the Heart, Not the Amount
Remember the story of the luffa flower lady? She didn’t even complete her offering. But her heart was in the right place. That’s what matters.
Daily Practices You Can Start Today
1-Minute Merits
-
Think of three people and wish them happiness.
-
Say “thank you” and mean it.
-
Bow to a Buddha statue with respect.
5-Minute Merits
-
Offer incense, flowers, or water at a shrine.
-
Call someone and ask how they’re doing.
-
Refrain from gossip or judgment.
10-Minute Merits
-
Meditate on loving-kindness (Metta Bhavana).
-
Read or share a Dhamma verse.
-
Feed birds, dogs, or even ants.
Social Proof: Real Lives, Real Merits
If you read Vimanavatthu, you’ll find hundreds of real stories of people who are now gods and devas just because of small things they did in their past lives.
And in modern life? Think of the joy you feel when you help someone across the street. That feeling that warmth is merit in action.
The MBC Framework of Merit:
M - Meaningful
Do things that carry real intention. Even folding your hands with reverence matters.
B - Beneficial
Aim to reduce suffering or increase joy in any form even if it's tiny.
C - Consistent
Doing a small merit every day is better than a big merit once in a while.
Conclusion: Every Little Drop Counts
Don't wait to be rich. Don't wait to be free. Don’t wait to be perfect. Just begin. A smile. A kind word. A loving thought. An old cow’s skull on a muddy road.
In the grand universe of karma, nothing good is ever wasted. The smallest good deed might one day be the reason you’re reborn in a blissful heavenly world or why you feel peaceful tonight.
So, don’t miss out even on a small merit. Because one day, that small act might become your greatest treasure.
0 Comments