Originally posted by maggot:
Like definition of merits in terms of cash 
More $ donated more merits 
Buddhism does not teach such a doctrine.
http://www.jenchen.org.sg/understa.htm#merits
Real merits
Merits are consequences of the non-orignation and non-cessation of
the mind. During the Tang Dynasty in ancient China, Emperor Liang
Wu-Ti asked the patriarch Bodhidharma, "Venerable One, I have built
many monasteries for the well being of the Sangha and I have also
performed many virtuous deeds. What merits have I accumulated?
Bodhidharma answered, "You have no merits." Why is that so? It is
because when Emperor Liang Wu-Ti performed those acts of giving, he
was attached to them. Thus, even though he had performed many
virtuous deeds, because he had not cultivated the purity of his
mind, he did not attain "non-origination and non-cessation".
Therefore, his actions can only be considered as cultivation of
blessings, not merits. Without liberation there are no merits. On
the other hand, when there is liberation, all virtuous deeds will
reap merits.
Don't question a particular doctrine
?
Each school concentrate on their specific sutras
To focus on practicing one sutra is also very good because life
is short and you cannot possibly learn the whole Tripitaka
completely. Once you enter one sutra deeply, you can penetrate all
sutras.
In finality, all orthodox sutras will never contradict in essence
with each other -- orthodox in this definition being in line with
the 3 Dharma Seals. That is why to one who realised one's true
nature, the whole Tripitaka is within his grasp.
Worship dharma protectors instead of Lord Buddha
No comments. My organisation and most Buddhists I see don't do
this. And BTW, we don't even 'worship' Lord Buddha as well.
We venerate, pay reverence and respects to him because being an
enlightened person he is worthy of veneration and learning from,
but we don't believe in any 'God' in a Christian sense.
Instead of doing rituals for the benefit of mankind some do it
for the sake of $ 
Pay $$ to join for some rituals
No comments. My organisation doesn't do this.
Secretive dharmas that only transmit among sects and schools
Since when Lord Buddha kept secrets?
I agree teachings should be open to all. However, I believe
sometimes the purpose of keeping teachings restricted is not for
the sake of restricting who can listen to the dharma, but rather,
the teachings should be imparted under learned, experienced and
qualified guidance lest one be misled. Just like the topic of
meditation -- it is really advisable to learn meditation under a
qualified teacher who can point out the right instructions to you
and correct you so that you may practice correctly.
We should also be careful what knowledge we reveal to others. Just
like the teachings of Emptiness should only be explained to those
with the conditions to accept it.. I think it is somewhere in the
Bodhisattva precepts or something, not to explain Emptiness to
someone not ready to hear it. Not because he may not understand it
yet (because if he don't understand we can still gradually explain
to him), but because if the teachings are spoken and people grow
aversion towards that teachings or cannot accept them, then this
has a detrimental effect by preventing them from seeing the
truth.
Not only I create obscuration for others, I create very bad karma
for myself. I have personally experienced such things before and
regretted speaking to persons without the right conditions. For
this deed I was also 'abmonished' by Thusness. Sometimes it's
better to stay silent and not speak the dharma. Therefore,
'Condition' is very very important.
AndrewPKYap should know -- he visit the other forum that I
mentioned and should have witnessed what happened there.
Too many so called mainfestations who can confirmed? I thought,
you think who can confirm?
I don't know what you mean by 'I thought, you think who can
confirm?'
Lastly, performing prayers instead of self cultivation 
No comments, I hardly pray except for some special occasions and
needs. Self cultivation is certainly more important.
