The so-called merit is blessing. The methods of accumulating blessings are as follows:

First, good causes and good fate

In Buddhist philosophy, "the laws of heaven are cyclic, cause and effect are not empty, sow good causes and reap good results", which is advocated Accumulate virtue and do good deeds, and cultivate blessings for yourself. Taoism also talks about cause and effect. The Taoist classic "Tai Shang Ying Pian" says: There is no way for blessings and misfortunes, people can only bring them to themselves; the rewards of good and evil follow them like a shadow.

The word "cause and effect" is what we should always keep in mind when doing things. If a person wants to receive blessings, he must plant seeds of kindness. This requires us to take the initiative to communicate with others, help others, and build good relationships in our lives.

“Those who help others will always be helped.” Even if the original intention of doing good deeds is not to ask for anything in return, blessings will naturally find you. There is a saying in Laozi's "Tao Te Ching": "The way of heaven has no relatives and always associates with good people." The way of heaven is fairness.

Second, diligence and thrift

Laozi said in "Tao Te Ching": I have three treasures, hold on to them and protect them; the first is compassion; the second is frugality; the third is not daring to serve the world. First. Compassion leads to courage. Being frugal leads to broadness. Don't dare to be the first in the world, so you can become a leader. Diligence and thrift are one of Lao Tzu's three treasures.

If you don’t know how to be diligent and frugal, even if you have a great fortune, it will be ruined, let alone blessed. In ancient times, King Zhou of Yin used all the wealth in the world to enrich his own desires and became the king of subjugation. Qin Shihuang was extravagant and lustful, and the second generation of the Qin Empire fell.

These are all examples of extravagance and the destruction of the country. And if we don’t know how to be diligent and thrifty in life, it will be difficult for us to receive blessings. Many rich people have a lot of money, but their lives are still very simple. For example, Jack Ma, Liu Chuanzhi, and Ren Zhengfei are so rich but don’t have a lot of money, because they all understand this truth.

Third, suffer losses and sacrifice

There is an old Chinese saying, "Suffering losses is blessing." These four short words are actually the crystallization of the wisdom of the Chinese people. Lao Tzu has a famous saying in his "Tao Te Ching": "Misfortunes come from where blessings depend, and blessings come from misfortunes."

Sometimes it seems that we are at a disadvantage, which is not a bad thing. It seems that we have taken advantage, but it may be the source of disaster. Those who like to suffer losses will always receive blessings. A broad-minded person will not worry about whether you are right or I am wrong for the sake of small profits in front of you.

It’s not that I don’t care, it’s not that I have money, but that I am generous. We should have this mentality in life. In this way, you will form a positive energy field of your own, and blessings will slowly gather towards you.

Fourth, Compassion and Joy

There is a record in the Buddhist classic "Agama Sutra": There was a young novice monk who should have died young, but because of a thought of compassion, he was saved. Many ants trapped in ponds have lived longer. A single thought of kindness can eliminate sins; a single thought of compassion can increase merit.

This story tells us that compassion, joy and sacrifice are not only advocated by Buddhism. Regardless of whether you believe in Buddhism or not, as long as you want to obtain blessings, you should have such a thought.

Belief in Buddha actually means belief in oneself. Buddha is an enlightened person. If you have Buddha in your heart and are enlightened in your heart, be compassionate to others and do good things for others, you will be a Buddha and Bodhisattva to others.