_____________________________________________________________________

The Merit Ledger

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

2014 EDITION
Author: Brian Chung

____________________________________________________________________
THIS TEXT IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND HAS NO COPYRIGHT

_____________________________________________________________________

THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

_____________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
In the Treatise on Response and Retribution (Kan Ying Pien), Lao Tzu states that:

A virtuous man speaks only good, does only good and sees only good. Hence,
he does at least three good deeds everyday. After 3 years (1000 days), karmic
rewards are guaranteed to manifest. The evil man does the opposite and amasses
evil deeds daily. Therefore, disasters and misfortunes will
certainly befall upon him after three years
Furthermore, in the instructions on how to implement the teachings of the Kan Yin
Pien, one important passage states that:
The third requisite is Determination and Perseverance. Now goodness in little
things brings a speedy recompense; the rewards of great virtue come slowly. But
speedy rewards consist of only trivial blessings; those which delay their coming
consist of very great ones. There are people in the world who believe this, but very
few who act it out with any resolution. And why? Because, after they have walked
in the ways of virtue for little while, they meet with difficulties or obstacles;
whereupon they are discouraged, and say, foolishly, that the laws of Heaven are
really very hard to understand; so that finally they abandon p. 110 all the progress
they have made so far, and allow their impatience to hinder them from reaping the
rewards of their well-doing.
These two passages succinctly illustrate the key to significantly changing one's
fortune for the better. If we wish to create enough good karma to change our fate, we
must show sincerity and determination in accumulating merits. If one does 3 good
deeds daily for 3 years, 3000 good deeds would have been done. The power of the
merits created by such diligence would not only melt away all your pending evil
karma, but will also cause good fortune to manifest immediately at around the end of
the three year period. Note: Technically, it does not have to be three years, the
3000 deed mark is the important factor here. Thus, if you can accumulate 3000
good deeds in 6 months or one year, you will see your reward immediately.
As stated above, Lao Tzu's advises us to do at least one good deed of the body, one

THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

good deed of the mouth and one good deed of the eyes every day. Hence, below is a
recommended list of good acts for each category. Also, it should be stressed that the
amount or value of our donations are not the important factor here. The most
important thing is that one does good and gives in accordance to his or her power and
income ability. For instance, a one cent donation from someone experiencing severe
financial pressures would still be extremely significant from a karmic perspective.
However, a donation from a rich man that forms only a miniscule portion of his
wealth and income would yield weak fruit even if the amount was large.
Moreover, in one story of the Pettavatthu ( a Theravada scripture on the importance of
giving), a Earth Deva (who had acquired such status after making one wood axle and
gifting it to someone whose cart axle was broken) once spoke the following stanza:
'What he gives becomes not just that. Just give the gift. Giving he traverses both
(worlds); by it he goes to both , Be not slothful.'
This stanza, in the context of the aforementioned, clearly means that the amount of the
gift does not matter. As long one does what is in one's power, the merit will be very
great. Furthermore, by "traverses both (worlds)", he means that he who gives can
expect fortune both in this life and the next.
Lastly, in Upasaka Huang Nien Tsu's commentary of the Infinite Life Sutra, it is
stated that there are four fields of merit, they are:
1. One's parents and elders.
2. Triple gem (i.e. the Buddha, Dharma & Sangha).
3. The poor, sick and needy.
4. Animals and the environment.
This means that acts planted in any of the four fields (i.e. causes) will be very
worthwhile and yield abundant karmic rewards.
SUGGESTED GOOD DEEDS:
Meritorious Actions of the Eyes:
1.) Reading and studying the Mahayana Sutras (e.g. Diamond Sutra, Infinite Life
Sutra, Amitabha Sutra, Lotus Sutra and Shurangama Sutra etc.).

THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

2.) Gazing reverently at images of Buddha's and Bodhisattvas. Note: Buddha

images are not idols but are instead personifications of the Buddha's teachings. The
statue is the physical representation of the Four Immeasurables and Six Paramitas.
Hence, you are learning dharma simply my gazing at them.
3.) Gazing reverently at holy objects such as Stupas, Pagodas and the like.
Meritorious Actions of Speech.
1.) Reciting Buddha names such as Namo Amituofo or Namo Guanyin
Bodhisattva. Note: Everyone should recite Buddha names as often as possible. For
instance, the Buddha has said that each sincere recitation of Namo Amituofo can
eradicate 8 billion eons worth of heavy karmic offenses. Furthermore, according to
Chapter 9 of the Earth Store Sutra:
Furthermore, in the past, a Buddha named Lotus Supreme Thus Come One
appeared in the world. If men or women hear this Buddhas name or if the sound of
his name merely passes by their ears, those people will be reborn one thousand
times in the Six Desire Heavens. How much more will that be the case if those
people sincerely recite the name of that Thus Come One.
Furthermore, in the past, a Buddha named Vipashin appeared in the world. If men
or women hear this Buddhas name, those people will eternally avoid falling into
the Evil Paths, will always be born among people or gods, and will abide in
supremely wonderful bliss.
Thus, it should be clear by now that reciting Buddha names yield great merit. Even if
we have no time to recite the Sutras, we must never neglect to recite Buddha names.
2.) Reciting Mahayana Sutras and Mantras. Note: Reciting Sutras and mantras
yield great merit. For instance, the Buddha described the merit of reciting the
Shurangama Sutra and Mantra by saying "Ananda, if living beings are able to recite
this Sutra and uphold this mantra, I could not describe in endless kalpas how great
the advantages will be".
3.) Encouraging other people to do good deeds.

THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

4.) Helping people reconcile and keeping an atmosphere of harmony (e.g.

persuading a married couple to stay married instead of divorcing).
5.) Advising someone to refrain from committing evil or encouraging someone to
discard vices and bad habits.
6.) Speaking and expounding the dharma. Note: The greatest deed that a person
can do is to teach the dharma to someone else, thereby reinforcing their roots of
wisdom and Bodhi resolve.
7.) Writing texts that encourages people to be virtuous and charitable.
8.) Praising the good deeds, talents and virtues of others. Note: jealousy and
selfishness are among the most serious karmic offenses. Hence, by constantly praising
others, you can uproot such evil inclinations.
9.) Defending the innocence and reputation of others.
10.) Giving sound moral advice.
11.) Advising someone to become a vegetarian and or to refrain from hunting
and fishing.
12.) Being respectful to the elderly or being kind and friendly to the young.
Meritorious Actions of the Body:
1.) Donating money, time and or resources to help the poor, sick and needy. Note:
It is stated in the Sutras that the merit from giving medicine and food to the needy are
boundless.
2.) Making offerings of incense, pure water, light, flowers and or vegan foods to
images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Note: It is stated in the Earth Store Sutra and
various other Sutras that making offerings to the image of a Buddha, Bodhisattva,
Paccekabuddha or Arhat is no different from making offerings to the Buddha himself.
Hence, a image of the Earth Store Bodhisattva is included in the last page of this
document for your convenience.

THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

3.) Making offerings to Dharma Masters, Bhikkhus and Bhikkunis.

4.) Donating to Buddhist temples or to Churches and Synagogues. Note: The
working of karma transcends cultures and religions. Hence, as long as the teachings of
the religious institution (regardless of faith) in question reflects true morality, then
donations to them will count as a meritorious act.
5.) Purchasing or producing Sutras and Buddha images for free distribution.
Note: The Buddha has said that a gift of dhamma excels all gifts. Hence, those who
print sutras or make Buddha images can expect unrivaled karmic rewards. For
instance, in the Sutra on the Production of Buddha Images, it is stated that those who
make but one Buddha or Bodhisattva image can reap the following merits:
1. Handsome and upright appearance.
2.Wealth, power and nobility.
3. Health and long life.
4. Rebirth in blissful realms where evil and suffering is non existent.
5. Be never again reborn in the evil realms of suffering.
6.) Contributing money/resources etc. to help spread and teach the dharma.
7.) Purchasing captive shellfish, fish, animals and poultry slated for slaughter
and setting them free or depositing them into animal shelters.
8.) Performing acts of filial piety and helping relatives who are poor or in urgent
need.
9.) Refraining from acting immorally when presented with the opportunity to do
so. Admitting and changing existing faults and bad habits.
10.) Assisting a person or animal in urgent need (e.g. saving a life or neutralizing
danger).
11.) Helping someone succeed in doing good works.
12.) Forgiving debt and remaining calm in the face of provocation.

THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

Historical accounts of people who have altered their

fates by doing good (from the Kan ying Pien):
Note: "Book of Recompenses" is another name for the Kan Ying Pien.

Fang Shih-ko, a native of Hsing-an, had been very sickly from a child. Afterwards
he began to enquire into the mysteries of Taoism, with a view of procuring the secret
of immortality. Arrived one day at the Cloud-capped Mountain, he met a person of
strange appearance, who said, "With such a face as yours, how can you expect to get
the blessings that you seek? It is impossibleunless you first plant a root of
goodness." Then Shih-ko went home; and although he was a poor man he found
means to print off an edition of the Book of Recompenses and distribute copies among
his friends. By the time he had printed ten pages, his sickness was half-cured; when
the work was completed, he found himself entirely recovered; and from that time
forward he became p. 115 robust in body, and quite different from what he had been
before in appearance.
A certain man of Huei-chou, named Wu Ta-tso, had great difficulty in procuring a
son. He prayed in all sorts of temples and in every variety of manner, without
receiving any answer. But one day a friend sent him a copy of the Book of
Recompenses, saying, "This contains the secret of procuring children and securing
happiness." Wu bowed to the ground, and accepted the gift. Then he studied the book
with all his heart and soul. Whenever he was able to perform a virtuous action he
performed it; whatever vice he had to be discarded, he discarded; and in a very short
time he found himself the father of three sons. Whereupon he was led to place implicit
faith in the supernatural proofs thus afforded of the truth of the book; so he printed
off a number of copies at his own expense, in which he recorded his personal
experiences. This occurred in the reign of Tien Chi of the Ming dynasty.
When Wang Yuen, a native of Chien-tang, was still a child, he met with the foregoing
essay, and took great delight in studying it. And not only so; he followed all the
admonitions therein contained, with great p. 111 reverence and care. As Mr. Ching Hs,
his father, was prevented by death from fulfilling his intention of having additional
copies of it prepared, he spent his own money in the work: leaving no stone unturned
to enlist the pecuniary assistance of certain other men of worth. He printed in all ten
thousand copies, which he distributed broadcast. One night he dreamt that his father
appeared to him, and said, "Not only have you completely carried out the design I
was prevented from fulfilling, but, you have succeeded in securing the assistance of
others in the good cause. In consequence of this, I have already ascended to the Halls

THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

of Paradise; your mother will be blessed with a long life; while your own name and
the names of your coadjutors are conspicuous upon the roll of virtuous men."
Subsequent events proved the truth of these predictions.
Wang Chu, a native of Hsien-ch Hsien, had a son named Wang Tsing, who fell sick
and died when only four years old, to his father's deep-felt grief. Whereupon Wang
Chu formed a resolution to print a number of copies of this book, which he distributed
among the people with the object of causing his lost son to enter once more into his
mother's womb. Some time afterwards, his wife found herself enceinte; p. 112 and one
night she dreamt she went to the Ting-kuang Temple at Huang-yen Hsien, whence she
returned carrying her little boy home in her arms. When she awoke she experienced a
movement in her womb, and soon gave birth to a son, vastly resembling the one that
she had lost. In fact, the same body was born twice over; the bones and flesh had
actually been brought together a second time!
Yang Chn, a native of Huang-yang Hsien, came of a very poor family. He saw his
fellow-villagers printing off copies of the Book of Recompenses, and longed to assist
them; but he was powerless to do so, by reason of his poverty. Still, he managed to cut
one block for the seventeenth page; and on a certain night he dreamt that a spirit
appeared p. 113 to him and said, "As a reward for doing the little you are able to, Sir,
you shall meet with success in the examinations;" and he actually did come out
seventeenth in the examination for the degree of Doctor! Note: This degree is not
simply academic but actually guarantees a high ranking magistracy for the bearer,
with substantial remuneration.
Commentary:
In Liao Fan's Four Lessons (an autobiography of a Ming dynasty scholar who
changed his fate by accumulating merits), it is recorded that Mencius once said that
whatever one wishes for can be obtained by doing good. This is because the outside is
merely a reflection of your past karma. So your family life, career, health, looks and
so forth are all the result of past actions.
Therefore, if we sincerely decide to do good, the goodness will not only eradicate our
past bad karma but will also create such a powerful stock of merit that our lives are
bound to improve. If we only do a good deed every now and then, then the merit will
manifest in our next life. However, if we follow Lao Tzu's advice and accumulate
3000 good deeds over 3 years, we are bound to receive extreme blessings in this very
life (at the end of that period).

THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

_____________________________________________________________________
Personal Merit Ledger
Instructions: The following grid has a total of 1000 squares (representing 1000 days).
Fill in your starting date and place one mark for each good deed you do. Ensure that
there are at least 3 marks per square. For the purpose of simplicity, limit the number
of marks to three per square. If you have done several good deeds in one day, then
reserve the surplus good deeds on a separate sheet of paper for use as a reserve. Thus,
if circumstances should cause you to fail to be able to accumulate the three minimum
deeds in one day, you can draw from this reserve.
Example: Sample routine for a person of average means:
1.) Sincerely recited Namo Amitabha for at least 10 times.
2.) Reverently burned incense in front of a Buddha image.
3.) Bought a sandwich for a homeless person and donated bills/change to
collection boxes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Your Name:__________________________
Date of Starting Day: ___/___/___ (D/M/Y)

10 THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

11 THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

12 THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

1000!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Congratulations!
You have just completed at least three thousand good deeds over three years. You can
expect the power of such karma to yield great fortune shortly. Furthermore, Lao Tzu
further states in the Kan Ying Pien that those who have accumulated 300 good deeds
in this life can expect to become a Earth Deva in their next life while those who have
accumulated 1300 good deeds can expect rebirth in the higher heavens. Hence, by
completing this ledger, you have guaranteed yourself not only fortune in this life, but
also supremely wonderful bliss in the next life as well. The rewards for virtue and
good deeds are indeed boundless!
Merit Dedication:
In the Larger Infinite Life Sutra of Amitabha, it is stated that householders who wish
to be reborn in Pureland (thereby attaining enlightenment) should dedicate all their
good deeds towards such a rebirth.
The Buddha said to Ananda, "The middle grade of aspirants are the devas and
humans in the worlds of the ten quarters who sincerely desire to be born in that
land. Although unable to become monks and cultivate much merit, they awaken

13 THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

aspiration for the highest Enlightenment, single-mindedly think on Amitayus,

perform some good deeds, observe the precepts of abstinence, build stupas, donate
Buddhist statues, give alms to mendicants, hang banners, light candles, scatter
flowers, burn incense, and so forth. They transfer the merit of those practices to his
land, aspiring to be born there. When they are about to die, Amitayus will manifest
his transformed body, which is fully possessed of the same radiance and physical
characteristics and marks as those of the real Buddha, and make it appear before
them, together with a host of sages. Then they will follow this transformed Buddha
and be born in the Pure Land, where they will dwell in the Stage of
Non-retrogression. Their virtue and wisdom will be next to those of the higher
grade of aspirants."
- Larger Infinite Life Sutra of Amitabha
Hence, you should dedicate your accumulated merits towards Pureland rebirth. You
can do so by declaring such a intention in front of a Buddha statue.

Namo Amitabha

Amitabha & Retinue of Bodhisattvas in Pureland

_____________________________________________________________________

14 THE MERIT LEDGER : HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FATE IN THREE YEARS

_____________________________________________________________________

Namo Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

____________________________________________________________________