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Kusala

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merit, among the Buddhists, which is included in Karma (q.v.). "There are three principal meanings of the word kusrlu, viz., freedom from sickness, exemption from blame, and reward; but as used by Buddha, its primary idea is that of cutting, or excision. It has a cognate use in the word kusa, the sacrificial grass that cuts with both its edges the hand of him who lays hold of it carelessly. That which is cut by kusala is klesha, evil desire, or the cleaving to existence. Akusala is the opposite of kusala. That which is neither kusala nor akusala is awsjdkrata; it is not followed by any consequence; it receives no reward, either good or bad." See Hardy, Eastern Monachism, pages 5, 6, 276, 301.