About This Answer
Is giving to charity in society the same as making merit at a monastery? Ajahn Dtun answers that both begin from the same good heart of kindness and compassion, and both bring happiness in the present. The difference lies in the field of merit. Offerings made to a Sangha of monks who keep sīla, develop samādhi and have few defilements bear greater fruit than help given to people who are currently receiving the results of their own kamma, even though such help still develops mettā and karuṇā.
He gives the example of two people with equally good hearts. One likes to help the poor and disabled but does not go to the monastery; the other makes offerings at the monastery. When both are reborn as humans their hearts remain alike, but the one who gave to a good field of merit will be better off materially.
He compares this to sowing rice. Seed thrown on dry land with poor soil, little water and many weeds gives a poor crop, while seed sown in good soil with water and fertiliser gives a rich harvest. The same gift can bring different fruit depending on where it is planted.