3.Bring good into existence{8}: No mat-ter how fertile a field can be, there will be no harvest if seeds are planted into this field. No matter how supreme a sage is, without the teachings of goodness, he cannot be considered a good person. Therefore, the faith and vow should be brought to existence, and compassion should be initiated.

Teachings of goodness include no killing but be benevolent, no stealing but act with righteousness; no sexual misconduct but show propriety; no lying but be honest; and no tak-ing intoxicants but maintain a clear mind. Generosity makes other happy and relieves others from suffering. When wholesome seeds are planted into the field of merits, there will be fruitful harvests even if they are not expected. This is the third right effort - bring good into existence.

4.Develop existing good{9}: The seedling of faith and vows should be allowed to grow. The heart of compassion should be al-lowed to develop. The faith in upholding pre-cepts should be allowed to purify. One should give to others without expecting any returns; this way, the act of giving will not be regretted. One should not expect any praises; this way, one will naturally have the strength tolerate slanders. One should prevent the unrealistic wish for freedom from sickness; this way illness and hardships will turn into effective medicine that helps one improve. If everyone practices like this, all virtuous merits will increase. This is the fourth right effort - develop existing good.

“Though the gold comes following tides, you should wake up early in the morning to dredge it up.”“Don't do a bad deed just be-cause it is only minor. Don't refrain from doing a wholesome deed just because it is insignificant.” An act of evil, however small, will be drip-ping water that penetrates a stone. An act of wholesomeness, however insignificant, will be like a seed that turns into a big tree. One must diligently overcome any unwholesome dharma in order for wholesome dharma to grow. There is no shortcut to Buddhahood. Only with right effort can it be attained.


【Key Words】

{8}Bring good into existence：未生善法，令它生起
{9}Develop existing good：已生善法，令它增長