World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting (Q&A Session)
Taipei, Taiwan
4 October 2016
VIRTUES AND KIND DEEDS
Question: Master Lu, if a person accumulates a lot of virtues from their actions, but does not undertake spiritual cultivation or perform recitations, what would the ultimate result of their lives be like?
Answer: You may have performed many virtuous deeds, but without spiritual cultivation or recitations, would you even consider these as being virtues? Without spiritual cultivation or recitations, all of these acts can only be regarded as good deeds that reap kind returns. However, there is no virtue found within them. There is a difference between accumulating virtues and doing good deeds. When you perform good deeds, you are rewarded with kind returns and that is the end of the story. Should any karmic eruptions occur – like a car accident or chronic disease, virtues are able to neutralise their effects, whereas good deeds are incapable of resolving your negative karmic situations.
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