From Gambler to The Buddha:
The Importance of Merit and Giving with Pure Intention
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year in 2025, 84000 wishes everyone a joyful and prosperous “Year of the Snake.” In Chinese tradition, the snake represents intelligence, renewal, and transformation—a reminder to embrace wisdom and adaptability as we step into this new year.
To mark this special occasion, we are delighted to share our publication, The Exemplary Tale of Puṇyabala (Toh 347), which emphasizes the Buddha’s teachings on the importance of merit as the foundation of Dharma practice.
The Exemplary Tale of Puṇyabala tells the story of several elder monks in the Buddha’s assembly at Prince Jeta’s Grove who cannot agree on which human quality is most valuable and beneficial: beauty, diligence, artistry, or insight. They ask the Buddha, who replies that merit, which gives rise to all the qualities they discussed, offers the most benefit to beings. Then the Buddha recites the following verse:
“Good looks, skill in arts and crafts,
Diligence, insight, and all the other qualities that
Sentient beings possess have arisen from merit.
Therefore, merit is most important.” [1.32]
To illustrate this point, he tells the story of a past life in which he was born as Prince Puṇyabala, whose name means “Power of Merit,” and whose compassionate acts of generosity are the most prized possession of human beings. In an ensuing contest with his four older brothers to determine which quality produces the best outcomes in real life, Puṇyabala wins. Through his merit, he is granted dominion over much of the world.
The Buddha goes on to show the suffering caused by lack of merit and all fruits that ripen through the accumulation of merit. He makes it clear that merit is necessary to gain insight or wisdom into the nature of all things.
“Without insight, all these things—good looks, artistry, and diligence—are not valuable qualities. But those who have accomplished them by way of insight receive their associated fruits and reap their benefits. This is plainly true. Yet you cannot acquire insight without merit; and therefore, merit alone is the most valuable quality of humans.”[1.74]
The Buddha continues with another past-life story, in which he had taken birth as a pauper named Dyūtajaya, who had gambled away all his money and become utterly destitute. During his trip home, he confesses his errant ways, makes offerings, and arouses the mind of awakening.
Because of that pure deed, Dyūtajaya later becomes wealthy, then a king on earth, and ultimately a king in heaven. The story shows that even this small act was the catalyst for his rebirths as Puṇyabala and eventually the Buddha. This final narrative serves to illustrate how any human being, even a wrongdoer, can attain the highest goals in life if he or she strives to benefit others with pure intention.
May everyone be bestowed with endless blessings. A big thank you to our readers and donors for your ardent support of 84000’s mission of bringing the Buddha’s words to life by translating the entire Tibetan Buddhist canon and making it freely accessible for all.
Related reading
Toh 347: The Exemplary Tale of Puṇyabala