Lectures on the Sūtra of the Collection of the Father and Son (Pitāputrasamāgamanasūtra) (205)

Buddhist Practitioners Should Diligently Cultivate Merit and Wisdom

The retribution of attaining supreme bodhi is extremely extraordinary. First, in terms of worldly dharmas, the retribution brings all manner of wealth, abundance, peace, and happiness; those who study the Buddhadharma and attain the fruits of the Path will not fall into the evil destinies. Second, wherever they are born, they enjoy the retribution of wealth, honor, glory, and splendor. In the past, after Chan masters attained the fruits of the Mahāyāna, when they were reborn in the human world they could all become kings or ministers; the higher the fruit they attained, the higher their status in the heavens and among humans—this is called worldly wealth and happiness.

Those of us who study Buddhism should also cultivate more merit and more wisdom. The merit accrued from cultivating blessings will also bring us wealth and honor in worldly dharmas. The Buddha is the "Honored One of Two Fulfillments"—which two? The two fulfillments of merit and wisdom. If one has only wisdom without merit, one cannot attain buddhahood; and without merit, one also cannot attract the respect, reverence, and offerings of all people in the world. Therefore, when we recite sūtras, we are cultivating both merit and wisdom; sitting in meditation is also cultivating merit; prostrating to the Buddha is also cultivating merit. Not to mention the giving of wealth and the giving of Dharma, which benefit and bring joy to sentient beings—these are even more so the cultivation of merit. Only when both merit and wisdom are fulfilled and complete does one become the Supreme One (anuttara).