Repaying Debts -- [Excerpt]

This is a true story. There were two coffee shops located opposite each other in Waterloo Street. One of the shops kept a guard dog. The owner of the guard dog became frustrated after keeping it for some time. He wondered "Why is this dog always guarding the opposite coffee shop when I am its owner?"

One day, the owner finally could not take it any more. He scolded the dog for being ungrateful and not knowing how to return his kindness. That night, the owner had a dream in which the dog spoke to him. It said: "I ate something in the coffee shop opposite yours in my previous life and still owe the owner $3.60. If you are willing to repay this debt, I need not continue guarding that shop."

The next day, the owner did what the guard dog told him and true enough the dog no longer guarded the opposite coffee shop.

(from The Sound of Zen)

Merit

What is merit?

"Gong" implies prowess. Prowess is derived through the daily accumulation of consistency of our work.

"De" means ethical conduct. It is an individual cultivation and self control.

Hence when we mention "gong de", it must be the accumulation of cultivation and self control through periods of self-reflection.

When Master Bodhidhamma (Da Mo) arrived in China, he was invited to the palace by Emperor Liang Wudi. Upon seeing Bodhidhamma, the Emperor asked, "I have constructed lots of temples and made offerings to many monks and nuns. May I know how much is my merit?"

Bodhidhamma replied: " None at all."

The emperor felt unhappy after hearing this and Bodhidhamma left the palace because he knew that the Emperor did not really understand his words.

Why did Bodhidhamma say none?

Bodhidhamma did not deny the Emperor's practice and action. His intention was to elevate the Emperor because the Emperor's attachment had been evoked through the accomplishment of these kind acts and suffering followed with such attachments. This would in turn lead to the unfulfillment of the requirements of merit. However, the emperor could not understand this point, so Bodhidhamma had to leave.

(from The Conception of Zen)