The Realized Enjoyment of Merit

The manas corresponds with dharmas, and only when it is touched do physical and mental reactions arise. When the manas comes to know a principle it previously did not know, or understands a principle it previously misunderstood, physical and mental reactions will appear, expressing one's emotions and state of mind. These states can occur even before attaining the fruits of realization; after attaining the fruits, and after seeing the mind and gaining enlightenment, the physical and mental reactions become even more evident—this is the benefit and enjoyment of merit from actual realization. If these phenomena do not appear, it shows that the manas has not been touched; whether regarding the teachings of the Great Vehicle or the Small Vehicle, it is all merely intellectual understanding, without any benefit or enjoyment of merit. The outcome of such intellectual understanding will become clear at the time of death.

Therefore, everyone should take responsibility for their own great matter of birth and death, and should not casually place a tall hat on themselves, claiming realization when realization has not been attained. If one does not possess the mental conduct and wisdom of a sage or worthy one, what does merely understanding some Buddhist teachings amount to? Many people, having understood a bit of the Buddha's teachings, regard themselves as sages and worthy ones; but in fact, without the benefit and enjoyment of merit from actual realization, their virtue does not match their position, and problems will arise sooner or later—especially at the moment of death, when karmic retribution will not be vague in the slightest.