<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><!DOCTYPE Zthes SYSTEM "http://zthes.z3950.org/xml/zthes-05.dtd">  <Zthes><term><termId>31308348</termId><termName>merit</termName><termType>PT</termType><termNote><![CDATA[ In theology, the quality derived through actions that entitles the doer to reward. For example, in Buddhism, merit is gained through virtuous acts leading to rewards in this life or future rebirths; in Christianity, merit from good works may result in spiritual rewards from God in the afterlife. ]]></termNote><termCreatedDate>2026-03-30 20:22:59</termCreatedDate><relation><relationType>BT</relationType><termId>31299721</termId><termName>doctrinal concepts</termName><termType>PT</termType></relation></term>  </Zthes>