THE ASPIRATION TO PERFORM MERITORIOUS DEEDS IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE
Master Jun Hong Lu: You must know how to transform the meritorious blessings that you are cultivating in this mortal world into one that is transcendental.
One example of worldly meritorious blessings is when helping others, you embrace the heart of a Bodhisattva. You appear to be performing a good deed, but the key lies in transforming it into one that is transcendental. What does this mean? It means you must transform the meritorious deeds you perform today into something that can go beyond this mortal world.
Let me give you a simple example: Assuming in the midst of helping others today, you save someone’s life. In the lens of a layman, you are a good person, someone worthy of being looked upon as a hero because you have saved someone. However, transcendental meritorious blessings are different, you are a Bodhisattva trying to save someone. That said, in the quest to propagate Buddhism to others, some people may think, “I am helping you”, “I managed to persuade you or talk you out of your predicament”. By doing so, you are merely cultivating worldly meritorious blessings.
On the other hand, if you feel like you are Guan Yin Bodhisattva and you are saving others just like a major Bodhisattva, all meritorious deeds you perform will engender merits and virtues that are able to transcend this world. This is the real meritorious blessings. Hence, one’s aspiration is of utmost importance. In the absence of any wholesome aspiration, it is not possible for one to perform meritorious deeds.
Let me give you a simple example: Many people have the inclination to pass their negative energy to others. They are eager to vent their inner resentment and dissatisfaction because the notion of ‘self’ still dwells in their heart.
Why do misfortunes befall most people? This is because they are fond of incessantly airing their grievances. They hope the more people they tell, the more sympathy and help they will receive from others – a sign that ego has taken over them. Ultimately, they become a person who suffers from egotism.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 10 Chapter 36