The Distinctions and Connections Between Merit and Virtue

Question: Emperor Wu of Liang built temples and supported monks, yet Patriarch Dharma said this brought no virtue but only blessings. How can one attain virtue?

Answer: Virtue is the inherent quality of one's nature, the virtuous capability possessed within the mind. For instance, subduing afflictions is virtue; cultivating a mind free from leakage is virtue; attaining wisdom is virtue; advancing in precepts, concentration, and wisdom, progressing toward perfection, is virtue. Alternatively, when fully perfected, it enables self-benefit and the ability to benefit others—this is virtue. Generally, virtue is not easily lost and remains inexhaustible until Buddhahood is attained. Blessings, however, are mostly self-enjoyed, subject to exhaustion and decay; they are not ultimate and cannot prevent one from using blessings to commit evil deeds. Virtue, on the other hand, gradually purifies the mind and causes blessings to increase. When blessings and virtue are attained together, blessings become firm and continuously grow.

Nevertheless, one must still cultivate blessings. Without sufficient blessings, virtue is difficult to manifest—the two are mutually supportive. However, do not use cultivated blessings for worldly enjoyments; do not seek blessings in the human or heavenly realms. Instead, dedicate all such blessings toward the attainment of Buddhahood. To cultivate more virtue, diligently practice precepts, concentration, and wisdom; extinguish greed, hatred, and delusion; widely practice the Bodhisattva Path; uphold, recite, and study the Three Baskets and Twelve Divisions of Buddhist scriptures; engage in meditation and cultivation of concentration; unify śamatha and vipaśyanā; maintain equal balance of concentration and wisdom; eradicate the view of self; aspire to realize the mind and attain enlightenment; advance stage by stage; and perfect the fruit of Buddhahood. All these are virtues, and great virtues at that, culminating in perfect virtue.