Master Yin Guang on The Rewards of Creating and Circulating Sutras and Buddha Images (Excerpts)
Sentient beings, floundering amidst this sea of suffering, can only be saved by the Compassionate Dharma-vessel. The Buddha-dharma exists in this world in the form of Images and Sutras, passed down from generation to generation. Thus, if one vows to preserve the Dharma by carving statues, gilding them or drawing images, or by copying and printing sutras, or through other methods of creation and reproduction, then one’s merit will be boundlessly great. The same is true for those who encourage others to do so if they lack the resources to do it themselves, and also true for those who distribute and make offerings to the Sutras and Images created by others. Likewise, those who praise, rejoice in and or aid such works will also receive vast and incalculable merit.
The powers of the Buddha are without limit — capable of uprooting all forms of suffering. Furthermore, as the Dharma is rare and sentient beings innumerable, those who print sutras and create images are building the great bridge of Dharma, converting the masses, and generously gifting the Dharma-treasure to all who have affinities. As their generosity and magnanimity are incalculably vast, so are their merits. Below are the ten karmic benefits, recorded in various Sutras, that those who do such works accrue:
1)The myriad evil karma they had previously accrued will be instantly dissolved if moderate, and greatly reduced if heavy. Greed, hatred and ignorance are the seeds of wickedness ; the body, tongue and mind are the outlets for evil. Thus, all who carefully reflect will realize that the wicked karma accrued in this current life is already incalculable, and the cumulative evil accrued since lifetimes past are as towering and imposing as the great icy peaks of snowy lands. How frightening! However, as wickedness is fundamentally false, just one sincere thought of repentance — vowing to circulate Sutras and adorn Buddha Images — will melt the icy peaks of wicked karma through the radiance of the wisdom sun.
2) They will always be protected by auspicious deities and spirits. The various disasters — plagues, floods, fires, bandits, wars, and imprisonment — cannot touch them. The manifold misfortunes of human life are invariably caused by evil karma. Thus, a single kind thought returns one to the path of Heaven. The accumulation of good deeds — especially through the easy and utmost meritorious way of printing sutras and creating images — deeply moves all auspicious deities and spirits, who zealously bestow their protection in response. Moreover, this is an arrangement of mutual benefit, for the Heavens are still bound to their karma and suffer from the cycle of death and rebirth. Thus, when the Buddha spoke the Dharma, the multitude of spirits and deities reverently offered their protection. And when Ananda compiled the Sutras, the Four Great Heavenly Kings likewise offered their protection. Thus, printing sutras and creating images are activities greatly favored by the gods, deities and spirits. Such merit attracts the blessings of auspicious deities and secures their constant protection from all dangers and disasters.
3) They will be freed from all feuds and enmities. No foe will exact revenge upon them. Behaviors such as fighting, envy, fraud, false accusations, looting, massacres and hostilities are the result of selfishness. Thus, the Buddha-dharma strives to end suffering by transcending the ego. As printing sutras and creating images benefit the multitude, such selfless generosity of Dharma yields vast and inconceivable merit. One drop of Dharma rain can not only extinguish the fires of hatred built up over many lifetimes, but also turn foe to friend and woe to weal.
5) Their hearts will be without worry or fear, their days will be peaceful without any threats, and their nights will not be haunted by nightmares. They will have radiant complexions and be full of vigor. All that they do will be blessed. In this tainted world, eight out of ten persons are at any one time mired in anxiety, fear, hatred and suspicion. And at least seven tenths of human life is likewise spent in worry, fear, doubt and hatred. Afflicted by mutual opposition, struggling alone against the multitude. Even in peace, they create worry, and even without cause, they ripple in fear. Such is suffering. However, the Buddha-dharma can eliminate all suffering. By printing sutras and creating images, thereby tasting wisdom from the flavor of Dharma, the snows of affliction will melt and disappear. The heart enjoys peace, and the body is at ease.
7) Their every word and action will be met with joy and support. They will be respected and loved by all. It is a fact that those who are jealous, slander others, prate scandals and reveal the shortcomings of others will suffer in the evil realms for many eons. Once they are reborn as human beings, they are hated by all and nothing they do will bear fruit. On the other hand, those who propagate the Buddha-dharma accrue positive karmic seeds, are grateful and desire to benefit the masses. Thus, those who purify the three karmas , copy sutras and draw images, or donate to print sutras and create statues, reap immeasurable merit. All who are currently respected by the masses had propagated the Dharma in their past lives. And those who in the future will be respected and revered are those who presently accrue the merit of spreading the Dharma.
8) The ignorant will become wise, the sick will become healthy, and the unsuccessful will find success and good fortune.
— From the Collected Works of Master Yin Guang
Page 49–50 Treasury of Dharma gems Edition II
