A farmer came to a Buddhist priest and asked him to recite sutras for his wife, who had just died. The priest did so, and when the recitation was over, the farmer asked, “Will my wife gain merit from this?”

“Not only your wife, but all sentient beings gain merit from the recitation of sutras,” the priest replied.

“All sentient beings?” the farmer said. “But my wife is very weak. Other sentient beings may take her merit away from her. Please recite some sutras just for my wife.”

The priest explained that a Buddhist wished to offer blessings and merit to every sentient being.

The farmer thought for a minute. “That is very fine,” he said at last, “but please make one exception. I have a neighbour who is very rough and mean. Please exclude him from all those sentient beings.”