Executive Summary: Merit of Sweeping Temple Grounds and Pagodas
A case study from the Dream in Dream Kindergarten revealing the miraculous merit of sweeping away debris in sacred areas. Cleaning Buddhist grounds physically translates into sweeping away life’s obstacles and completely purifying the mind of defilements.
1. The Broom of Purification
During his lifetime, this man had a deep love for cleanliness and possessed a strong volunteering spirit. Whenever he visited the temple, he would grab a coconut-frond broom and diligently sweep the temple grounds, the courtyards around the pagodas (Chedis), and the Bodhi trees, clearing away massive amounts of fallen leaves and dust. He swept with profound joy, ensuring the sacred grounds were pristine, beautiful, and inspiring for all visitors. Sweeping physical dirt from the Buddha’s domain actively sweeps impurities from one’s own soul.
2. The Blessings of Sweeping Temple Grounds
- Flawless, Radiant Complexion: When reborn as a human, this merit physically ensures he possesses incredibly smooth, radiant, and perfectly clear skin. He will be entirely free from blemishes, acne, or any skin diseases, naturally exuding a bright and magnetic aura.
- Sweeping Away Life’s Obstacles: The karmic action of aggressively clearing away trash transforms into a powerful merit that actively “sweeps away” problems, obstacles, and enemies from his life’s path. If he ever faces financial roadblocks or legal disputes, they will be effortlessly swept away, ensuring an incredibly smooth journey to success.
- A Pristine Mind and Rapid Enlightenment: Sweeping the temple trains the mind to discard impurities. When he practices meditation, his mind will easily drop into profound stillness. Mental wandering and dark thoughts will be instantly “swept” from his center, allowing him to rapidly access the radiant inner Dhammakaya.
3. Luang Por’s Teaching
Luang Por Dhammajayo teaches that every time you sweep the temple grounds, you are literally sweeping defilements out of your own mind. Dried leaves and debris represent life’s sorrows, obstacles, and bad karma. Cleaning the pagoda or sacred monastic zones is a highly praised merit in Buddhism because it inspires faith in all who see the pristine environment. Anyone who desires a flawlessly smooth life, entirely free of obstacles blocking their wealth and success, must joyfully seize the opportunity to sweep the temple grounds.
