“People who died have done different kamma (actions) so they don’t go to the same state of existence.”

The Teachings of Ajahn Suchart.

2 March 2023

“People who died have done different kamma (actions) so they don’t go to the same state of existence.”

Question from Brisbane, Australia:  Monks in SriLanka at my home country often preach that family members can confer merits to a dead person's next life by performing alms giving on the seventh day, on the three months’ time and on the one year’s time after the death of that person. 

In the historic evidence, it is mentioned about this ritual performed by King Bimbisara who did alms giving and chanting on the advice of the Lord Buddha to invoke blessings for some of the King’s dead relatives who were born in the lower realm who disturbed the King every night. Does this practice agree with your understanding?

Than Ajahn: Yes, but it does not mean that everybody who dies will be reborn in the lower state of existence. 

Your relatives who died might have gone to heaven or been reborn as an animal or as a human being and hence they don’t need the merits. It’s only those who come to disturb your mind, such as come in your dreams, might need your help. 

Then, you can give alms and share the merits that you get from giving alms to the departed ones. It’s not a fixed/sure thing that everybody who dies will need merits. People who died have done different kamma (actions) so they don’t go to the same state of existence. 

The lower realm of existence is just one of many state of existence. If you don’t know whether the person whom you love exists in which realm, you can share merits just in case he needs it. If the person is not in the realm where he is waiting to get merits from you, it doesn’t make any difference whether you give merits or not. Only when he came to see you at night in your dreams or in your meditation, and he came to talk to you directly asking for help, then you can give alms and offer the merits to the departed ones.  

“Dhamma in English, Q&A session, Aug 15, 2018.”

By Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto

www.phrasuchart.com

Latest Dhamma talks on Youtube: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi_BnRZmNgECsJGS31F495g