Understanding the Importance of Merit : หน้า 67/135

89. USING MERIT CORRECTLY The act of charity returns to us in good fortune. The act of mental cultivation brings us deliverance. Meditate frequently. Before merit can be generated, there is a great deal of effort involved. Merit making can be complete only when the following elements are present: faith, a good "field of merit," an act of good deed, and the right combination of everything else. Since merit" is not so easy to come by, do not waste an opportunity to acquire it. Preserve your merit and know how to use your merit the right way. Merit is your vehicle to success and happiness. December 1979 90. LET MERIT BE YOUR REFUGE Merit is my refuge. I love merit above all else because it is the one thing that can save me. Human beings still carry defilements. Sometimes a person can be good, and sometimes he can be bad. But merit is the one thing I can always rely on for goodness. January 26, 1991 91. DON’T NEGLECT MERIT-MAKING It is difficult to be born as a human being. Now that you are born a human being, do not waste your opportunity to make merit. If you have a little, then donate a little. If you have a lot, then donate more. Make a donation according to your ability, but don’t allow yourself to get into trouble for overlooking it. Whatever your financial situation is, don’t neglect the act of charity. For me, I perform merits regardless of what happens. I may be illiterate, yet I managed to build this temple, and I was able to preside at a major Kathina Ceremony. The merit I have accumulated has allowed me to do extraordinary things that are beyond an ordinary person’s ability. But with as much merit I have already made, I still want to do more. I want to participate in the Kathina Ceremonies and all other meritorious activities. I want to acquire all forms of merit, mundane and transcendental. November 7, 1980 *"Merit" is something that can be accumulated as well as used up. When someone is enjoying his good fortune, to use his up "old" merit. A wise person should let her lot merit run out by acquiring more new merit whenever he can.