People Who Generate Much Merit (Wholesome Kamma)

Monks, whenever virtuous monastics come to a home, the people there generate much merit (wholesome Kamma) on five grounds.

What five?

(1) When people see virtuous monastics come to their home and they arouse hearts of confidence (toward them), on that occasion that family is practicing the way conducive to heaven.

(2) When people rise, pay homage (respect), and offer a seat to virtuous monastics who come to their home, on that occasion that family is practicing the way conducive to birth in high families.

(3) When people remove the stain of selfishness toward virtuous monastics who come to their home, on that occasion that family is practicing the way conducive to great influence.

(4) When, according to their means, people share what they have with virtuous monastics who come to their home, on that occasion that family is practicing the way conducive to great wealth.

(5) When people question virtuous monastics who come to their home, make inquiries about The Teachings, and listen to The Teachings, on that occasion that family is practicing the way conducive to great wisdom.

Monks, whenever virtuous monastics come to a home, the people there generate much merit (wholesome Kamma) on these five grounds.

(Reference: AN 5.199)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how Household Practitioners can generate “much merit” or wholesome Kamma through their interactions with “virtuous monastics”.

These five (5) ways of practice are what Gotama Buddha provides as how Household Practitioners would need to practice these Teachings and then the benefits of having done so.

Gotama Buddha did not suggest that Household Practitioners should make offerings to just anyone who is ordained and wearing a robe but instead, he always mentions one should make offerings to “virtuous monastics”.

A common definition of “virtuous” is: having or showing high moral standards.

So, The Buddha is guiding Household Practitioners to make offerings to those Ordained Practitioners who are practicing these Teachings closely. Through supporting individuals who are deeply practicing these Teachings and sharing these Teachings into the world, one is providing support for the continuation of these Teachings for the benefit of all beings.

Through making wise decisions of supporting Ordained Practitioners and Teachers who are sharing these Teachings into the world, we can be assured these Teachings will continue long into the future for the benefit of the entire world.

The benefit of making offerings to virtuous monastics is not achieved purely through just the offering itself but through “making inquiries about The Teachings, and listening to The Teachings”, so that one can practice “the way conducive to great wisdom”. It is through one’s interactions with virtuous monastics that they will come to learn, understand, and practice these good wholesome Teachings to produce the results of an Enlightened mind.

This Teaching does not appear to need any further clarification.