Ten Meritorious Deeds
Ten Meritorious Deeds('Dasa Punna-kiriya Vatthu') are ten meritorious acts which Buddhist practice in everyday life to reach the eternal happiness Nirvana either lay-man or a monk. But a Buddhist monk have more rules(Vinaya) to follow so that it will speed up the process.
Buddhist's path to the eternal happiness Nirvana is a gradual one. Some times it may takes more than 1000 life cycles(Rebirths). Lord Buddha has said it is actually worthy of it. But if we miss the current Lord Buddha's Dispensation(Buddha-sasana) it can be vastly long time than 1000 life cycles. Nirvana is lot more worth than becoming a Heavenly King of the whole Solar System or Cakravarti King who rule the all of the great continents. There are three Bodhi which a being can attain Nirvana. Sammāsambuddha(Buddha), Pratyekabuddha, and Arahant. No difference in Nirvana once attained they all have perfect understand about 'Four Noble Truths' but there may be difference in intelligence and super-normal abilities which they have in the last life. Sammāsambuddha and Pacceka-Buddha is very difficult to achieve and take very long time. Arahant is the easiest way. To become an Arahant a being have to follow a words of a Sammāsambuddha. Sammāsambuddhas who have all knowing intelligence never tell every one to have aspire of becoming a Sammāsambuddha since it will make very much suffer in the Samsara. Lord Buddha may have donated only blood more than the amount of the sea to complete the necessary Paramita. So, how about other donations, they have to donate their wives, sons, daughters, also their own life numerous times to complete only the Dāna Paramita in three ways (Parami, Upa-parami, Paramatta-parami). But a great being can have aspire of becoming a Sammāsambuddha, since it is worthy. To become an Arahant no need to completing this kind of huge Paramita.
Other than the "taking refuge in the triple gem" Buddhist practice these 'Ten Meritorious Deeds' in everyday life.
- Giving charity (dāna)
- Morality (sīla • śīla)
- Meditation (bhāvanā)
- Paying due respect to those who are worthy of it (apacayana)
- Helping others perform good deeds (veyyavacca)
- Sharing of merit after doing some good deed (anumodana)
- Rejoicing in the merits of others (pattanumodana)
- Teaching the Dhamma (dhammadesana)
- Listening to the Dhamma (dhammassavana)
- Straightening one's own views
Giving charity, Morality and Meditation are called as Threefold Meritorious Deeds(Thrivida Punna-kiriya)