The Merit and Beneficial Effects of Direct Realization

Only when the manas is in accord with dharmas and is touched do bodily and mental reactions arise. When the manas comes to know a principle it previously did not know, or comes to understand a principle it previously misunderstood, bodily and mental reactions will appear, expressing one's emotions and state of mind. These states can occur even before attaining the fruits; after attaining the fruits, and after seeing one's true mind and awakening, the bodily and mental reactions become even more evident—this is the benefit and enjoyment of the merit of realization. If these phenomena do not appear, it shows that the manas has not been touched; regardless of whether it is the Dharma of the Great Vehicle or the Small Vehicle, it is merely intellectual understanding, without any benefit or enjoyment of merit. The result of such intellectual understanding will become clear at the time of death.

Therefore, everyone should take responsibility for the great matter of their own birth and death, and should not casually put tall hats on themselves, insisting on claiming realization when they have not realized it. If one does not even possess the mental conduct and wisdom of a sage or worthy one, what does merely understanding some Buddhist teachings amount to? Quite a few people, having understood some Buddhist teachings, regard themselves as sages and worthy ones. In fact, without the benefit and enjoyment of merit from realization, their virtue does not match their position, and problems will arise sooner or later—especially at the moment of death, when karmic retribution brooks no ambiguity whatsoever.