WHEN YOU HELP OTHERS, YOU HELP YOURSELF
Master Jun Hong Lu: You need to view all sentient beings as the ground of the liberation of your innate nature. In other words, your effort to help others is in itself self-help and self-liberation.
Many mothers tell their children, “Be careful of what you eat. You must remember not to jaywalk”. After saying this, and when these mothers themselves are about to jaywalk, they will immediately think, “No. I can’t do this. I have just told my kids not to do so, right?” Don’t you think you have set yourself free from all these bad habits?
Furthermore, when you are always helping others, you are in reality motivating yourself. This is a thought that bounces back to you when you help others which, in a way, you are also helping yourself. Do you understand?
For example, to explain this principle to you, I must first understand it myself, only then can I share it with you. Assuming today, I explain the intricacies of Little House to you, how would I be able to do so if I am completely clueless about what Little House is all about? Do you even think that it is possible for me to help others? Conversely, if you are able to explain to others about the recitation of Little House, don’t you think you will also stand to gain a better knowledge about Little House?
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 8 Chapter 11