Accumulation of Hidden Merits
Taoism considers ethical education and practise as its fundamental
task. On the one hand, Taoism tries to publicize its theory and
doctrine in society, leading people to be good in the hope of
creating an ethical society. This is Taoism's ethical education. On
the other hand, Taoism encourages ethical practice, which is to
lead human beings to good behavior. Ethical practice aims at
accomplishing one's duties and accumulating merits, which is to
bring forth ones spiritual release, instead of seeking to win
compliments. Keeping good behavior secret is to accumulate Hidden
Merits, a basic ethical principle for Taoists.
taoism advocates the accumulation of Hidden Merits. According to
the "Tai Shang Words of Supreme Correspondence" (Tai shang gan yin
pian) , one should "accumulate merits and be benevolent".
Correspondingly, Daoism opposes self-indulgence in doing all kinds
of improper or even mean deeds. Some people are very much afraid
that others do not know they have done a wee bit of good deeds,
whereas they will secretly do something bad once nobody is looking,
for they think they can escape notice so as not to be punished.
taoism has a completely different attitude toward this, because no
good or evil deeds can evade the principle of retribution, and
although the hidden merits and evils may not be known to mortals,
they must be known to spirits in Heaven and on Earth. The Tablet of
Supreme Correspondence says, "fortunes, whether good or bad, fall
on people according to their own deeds and behaviors. Retribution
for evil doings and reward for good works are like the shadows
following a person." It means that divines supervise everyone's
thoughts, words, and actions.