Merit Fruition through Actualization

When the mental faculty resonates with the Dharma and is stirred, physical and mental reactions arise. When principles previously unknown to the mental faculty are now known, or when previously misunderstood principles are now comprehended, physical and mental reactions manifest to express one's emotions and state of mind. These states can appear even before attaining the fruition; after attaining the fruition and after realizing the mind and attaining enlightenment, the physical and mental reactions become even more pronounced. This is the experiential benefit and realization of actual practice. The absence of these phenomena indicates that the mental faculty remains unmoved. Whether in the Mahayana or Hinayana teachings, without such experiences, it is merely intellectual understanding, devoid of genuine experiential benefit. The outcome of such intellectual understanding will be fully revealed at the time of death.

Therefore, everyone should take responsibility for the great matter of birth and death. Do not hastily crown yourself with lofty titles or claim attainments you have not genuinely realized. If one lacks the conduct, mind, and wisdom of a sage, what does understanding some Buddhist teachings amount to? Many people, having grasped some Buddhist teachings, presume the status of sages. Yet, without the experiential benefit of genuine realization, their virtue does not match their assumed position. Problems will inevitably arise sooner or later, especially at the moment of death, when retribution will be exact and unambiguous.