On the Matter of Merit

The merit cultivated by Buddhist practitioners through their practice of the Dharma, or the merit accumulated for propagating the Dharma, is predetermined and finite. If a significant portion of this finite merit is expended on worldly pursuits, less will remain for Dharma practice and realization. The two are like the two ends of a scale—when one rises, the other falls. For instance, improvements in worldly life such as better job treatment, promotions, enhanced reputation, higher status, increased authority, greater wealth, improved relationships, and so forth—in short, as you become more successful, more comfortable, and your family relationships improve—all these consume the merit you have cultivated through studying Buddhism and propagating the Dharma.

This means merit is cashed out from the Tathagatagarbha bank, leaving little remaining. Whether what's left is sufficient for Dharma practice and realization is uncertain. If it proves insufficient, progress in practice will stall, necessitating further cultivation of merit. But if the newly cultivated merit is again spent on worldly pursuits, it will still fall short when needed for practice. How long will this cycle take before one can truly attain liberation through cultivation?

Therefore, while cultivating merit, one must make vows: dedicate a certain percentage of this merit solely to the path of cultivation, and avoid using it for worldly affairs as much as possible, because it is not worthwhile—once cashed out and spent, it is gone. The more wealth you amass and the higher your status, the more merit is withdrawn, and the less remains stored in the Tathagatagarbha. With diminishing reserves, how can you sustain your practice and achieve enlightenment?

Do not assume that more wealth or greater fame and power are always better. Unless you are earning for the sake of propagating the Dharma, your savings in the Tathagatagarbha bank will dwindle, leaving insufficient support for your practice. The wise and discerning always maintain a substantial deposit in their Tathagatagarbha bank, rather than cashing it out for worldly use. Worldly life need only be passable—having enough food and clothing suffices. The merit reserved for practice must be abundant, even overflowing, to ensure smooth and swift progress on the path.