Noble Deeds of Merit

Everyone wants to be happy in this life. This clearly manifests in the story of Visakha, the great female disciple of Lord Buddha. She was the devoted and generous daughter of a millionaire in Savastthi, an ancient city in India.

At the age of fifteen, she was engaged and married to a son of a millionaire called Migara. On the wedding day Visakha’s wise father gave her some sound advice to be practiced in marriage.

"A wife should not criticize her husband and parents-in-law in front of others. she should not listen to the stories of other households and not report yours to others. Things should be lent only to those who return. Poor relatives and friends should be helped even if they don’t return.  When seeing her husband and ln-laws a wife should rise gracefully from her seat. Before taking her food, she should ensure others are served. Before going to sleep, she should ensure the household is safe and servants have performed their duties. As a rule, she should rise early in the morning unless she is sick. Ensure, her husband and in-laws are treated well and cared for and given due respect."

 One day, her father-in-law, Migara was eating sweet milk porridge from a golden bowl.  At that moment, a monk entered the house for alms. Migara saw him and continued eating ignoring the monk. Visakha seeing this, politely said “Pass on venerable sir, my father-in-law is consuming some leftovers.” Migara was very offended with the words and came to the conclusion that she had brought disgrace to his family. He ordered Visakha to be expelled. Visahka enlightened her father in law about the advice given to her by her own father; “If there is any fault, investigate it”. Migara agreed to her request. Vishaka proved her innocence by explaning “Sir, when my father-in-law ignored the monk and continued consuming the milk porridge, he was committing a great sin in the present life whilst enjoying the merit he had accumulated in his past actions. Her father-in-law admitted he was at fault and confessed his misdeed and the acknowledged the wisdom of Visakha. At her request, he invited Lord Buddha to their house to preach the Dhamma. Later, Migara was able to achieve the 1^st step in the noble path of supreme Nirvana.  Many deeds of merit have been done (with wealth, out of faith and generosity) by one subject birth like an expert florist can made  many garlands from a collection of flowers. (Ref: Dammapada  verse 53)

With wisdom and patience, Vaisakha converted her husband’s household to a happy home. Her good deeds of merit were an example to many.  Her kindness, generosity and conduct resulted in her being conferred as an acclaimed lady of yesteryear and also in modern times.