What karmic retribution comes from making a profit through deliverance rituals?

First, it must be clarified whether this way of making money is a fair and legitimate transaction. If it is not, then its nature is deception or fraud, and the offense and karmic retribution should be judged according to the behavior and nature of deception. What is a fair and legitimate transaction? It is one in which both the buyer and the seller each obtain the benefit or advantage they expect. If only one party gains the benefit while the other gains nothing, it is an unfair transaction.

Next, let us discuss whether this kind of transaction is legitimate. Whether this matter is legitimate or not should be measured from several aspects: First, does this person have the qualification to perform deliverance rituals (deliverance of beings)? Second, does this person have the ability to perform deliverance? Third, should one charge a fee for delivering sentient beings out of the sea of suffering, and if so, what is the standard for charging?

To clarify the above questions, we must first clarify the concept and meaning of the term "deliverance." What is deliverance? Deliverance means that a high-ranking bodhisattva, sentient being, or member of the Sangha Jewel with high energy, high virtue, and high quality, through the recitation of Buddhist sutras, mantras, and the words of the Buddha, prays to receive the blessing power of all Buddhas and bodhisattvas, blessing the sentient beings of the three evil paths so that their karmic obstructions are lightened, they gain a certain amount of merit, and they faithfully accept the Three Jewels, thereby being able to escape the three evil paths. Therefore, deliverance is accomplished through the combined power of merit, virtue, and compassion of all Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and the Three Jewels, together with the deliverer himself, lifting the beings of the evil paths out of the sea of suffering and lightening their retribution for their offenses.

If the deliverer performs deliverance for the sake of money, then first of all his virtue is lacking, his merit is lacking, and his compassion is lacking. Such a person cannot receive the protection and blessing of the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and the Three Jewels; all his recitations are without merit, and the beings burdened with offenses cannot gain any benefit. Deliverance itself is not something that can be accomplished by one person's own strength alone; it is accomplished jointly by one's personal virtue and cultivation, together with the majestic spiritual power of all Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and the Three Jewels. If an individual has no majestic spiritual power, that is one thing—but by what right does he use the majestic spiritual power of the Three Jewels to make money for himself? What kind of person has the audacity and the qualification to rely on the Three Jewels to make money and get rich? Isn't this making money off the Three Jewels? Who could ever afford to earn the money of the Three Jewels—does he not only disregard his own life, but disregard everything?

How could a person who truly understands cause and effect, clearly comprehends principles, and is deeply grateful to all Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and the Three Jewels dare to, or have the heart to, use the Three Jewels to make money? Bodhisattvas deliver sentient beings out of bodhicitta, for the sake of suffering sentient beings, and to repay the kindness of all Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and the Three Jewels—never for their own personal gain. Bodhisattvas never charge fees or make money when teaching and transforming sentient beings; no matter how much effort they expend writing teachings and books, they always provide them free of charge for sentient beings to study.

Because this is a great undertaking that cannot be accomplished by one person's own strength alone, all the wisdom of bodhisattvas comes from all Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and the Three Jewels. They can hardly repay that kindness in time—how could they use the majestic virtue of the Three Jewels to pursue their own personal gain? If someone does this, he is not a bodhisattva. Those who make money by relying on the Three Jewels, who profit by selling books and other items related to the Three Jewels, are not true bodhisattvas, not true good spiritual teachers. Such ungrateful trafficking is called "peddling the Tathāgata." Peddling the Tathāgata is the work of Māra and brings Māra's karmic retribution. Using the Three Jewels to make money is making money off the Three Jewels; the more of this money one earns, the poorer one becomes, and in the end one falls into the evil paths to suffer the miserable retribution of poverty and suffering.