Understanding Mundane and Transcendental Merit : หน้า 68/135

92. ACQUIRE BOTH MUNDANE & TRANSCENDENTAL MERITS Addressing someone who wanted only to meditate and not participate in any mundane chores: I acquire all forms of merit, mundane and transcendental. Mundane merit? helps me in self-development, while transcendental merit gives me the ability to teach myself. But once we attain the Dharmakaya* (reaching a clear-seeing state), we will have the wisdom to accomplish our mundane tasks more easily. "Mundane merit" is gained through performance of good deeds, such as sweeping the temple, helping the poor, making charitable contributions. "Transcendental merit" is acquired through mental cultivation and the practice of meditation. 93. REAP WHAT YOU SOW We cannot escape the consequences of our actions. We can escape neither the effect of our merit (good karma) nor our demerit (bad karma). Both our merit and demerit are embedded in the center of our body. It is in the Karma that stays with us. There is no way to rid ourselves of it. We reap what we sow; when we do good deeds, these good deeds turn into merits which bring success and happiness to our lives. August 23, 1979 94. CARRYING MERIT & DEMERIT Whatever action (karma) we commit, we carry the result of that action with us, good or bad. If our action is good, we carry merit. If our action is bad, we carry demerit. You alone carry the burden you create for yourself. If others speak or act unkindly towards you, don’t get angry and retaliate back. Forgive them and put an end to the cycle of hostility between you now. May 10, 1992 *Attaining the Dharmakaya* a state of absorption in meditation where the mind achieves pure insight & knowledge. having penetrative insight into the reality of life and the world; seen one's inner Body or Enlightenment.