Do Not Keep the Dharma on Yourself

📖Master’s Reading

Many practitioners habitually keep the merit of practice on themselves, not knowing it instead limits life's scope. In truth, we cannot keep the Dharma on ourselves; after practice we must make a dedication. If the spirit of practice is only for oneself, the power is not only small but breeds greed, narrowing the heart's capacity.

True wisdom is not hoarding but flowing. The greatest goal of practice is to benefit others with what one has learned and gained. When you are willing to share merit with beings, you break the frame of selfishness and let the good Dharma flow endlessly in the cosmos.

Dedication has another deep meaning: to make what I do multiply. Our personal ability is limited, and we may benefit only ten people; but the truth of the dharmadhātu is: when we dedicate merit to the dharmadhātu, the buddhas and bodhisattvas intervene and bless, helping magnify and multiply this good thought, turning the merit that benefits ten into merit that benefits ten thousand.

Never fear giving the Dharma out. When you are willing to open your heart and share the Dharma and good thoughts, the buddhas and bodhisattvas magnify this goodwill boundlessly. When the Dharma flows, doubled blessing naturally flows endlessly back into your life.

🌱Reflection for Daily Life

• The merit of practice cannot be kept for yourself.
• Break selfishness and let the good Dharma flow.
• Dedicate to the dharmadhātu to magnify the merit of practice.
• Open your heart to gain doubled blessing.
• True wisdom is not hoarding but flowing.