觀音玄義 1.9

1.9

Third, merit and wisdom: initially, person and dharma accomplish one another—this is based on faith; next, benevolence and compassion grant [bliss] and eradicate [suffering]—this clarifies vows. If one wishes to fulfill these vows, one must cultivate practice; cultivation does not go beyond merit and wisdom. Wisdom is prajñā, and merit is the five perfections; mutually supporting and guiding, practice accords with vows, and phenomena and principle become fully complete. If wisdom grows brighter, the vow of great compassion is fulfilled, and the meaning of eradicating suffering is accomplished; if merit is profound and thick, the vow of great benevolence is fulfilled, and the meaning of granting bliss is accomplished. Hence merit and wisdom are placed third. Furthermore, for the convenience of discourse, merit comes first and wisdom after; but in terms of the original intention to transform others, one initially wishes to benefit them with real wisdom, and if they cannot bear it, only then does one display merit. Moreover, as support, merit comes first; as guidance, wisdom comes first.