Merits of my contribution

I was at the Singapore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple yesterday. The temple was founded by Venerable Shi Fa Zhao in 2002. They are currently building the temple, and an office was set up near the site to manage the project and also conduct fund raising.

The fund raising activity has been around for over a year now, and many believers went to contribute – either in cash or gold, towards the building of the temple.

I was there with my colleague yesterday, and we toured the office to understand the contribution requirements. We were allowed to pledge our donations towards an item, which can then be recorded with your name as a donor. For example, you can donate S$50 for a piece of roof tile. The monks will then write your name (or whoever’s name you want to donate for) on it, and the tile will be used eventually for the roof of the temple.

My colleague and I decided the items we wanted to contribute towards, and proceeded to arrange for payment. The monk told us that there is no pressure in donations, we should give freely and happily.

However, I can’t help to think that the bigger my contribution is, the bigger my merit will be. I am not selfless. No matter what I said, I know deep down, I was hoping that my contribution will brings me and my family better fortune, blessings and safety. I wonder if my colleague had the same thought.