Building Up Merit and Understanding Transience : หน้า 75/135

109. BUILD UP MERIT A layperson expressed the desire to go on a meditation retreat, but was concerned about her grown son being left alone. When a man and a woman are in love, the world becomes a colorful place filled with sweet beauty. But once a first child is born, everyday is a quarrel! If you don’t want a heavy burden, then don’t have any children. But if you have them, then you must accept full responsibility. You can’t desert them. As for me, I have no one with which to concern myself with, except my merit. In each of us, we carry merit and demerit, and we must do all we can to increase the merit. I’m a fighter. I never back down from problems until I find the solution. But when you are asked to help someone, first take a good look at yourself and determine if you are really capable of helping this person. If his problems are beyond your abilities to solve, then accept that and practice equanimity. You cannot help someone who will not listen; it is up to his own karma. As for ourselves, we have to make the best with what is given to us. February 9, 1991 110. MERIT & DEMERIT ARE THE ONLY THINGS WE CAN TAKE WITH US Addressing the former governor of Sri Saket Province, Thailand, when he visited the temple: When you enter the temple, even a dignitary should leave his rank and title outside because these are earthly mantles. They are not things you can take with you when you die. They are merely masks, and once removed, you are no different from anyone else. Nothing in life is significant except merit and demerit. They are the only things which matter. November 13, 1989