Mr. Zongxuan's Xuan Gang Lun: Chapter 20 on Meritorious Deeds and Correcting Faults

 Meritorious deeds should be kept hidden, while faults should be made manifest. When deeds are kept hidden, they can be preserved; when faults are made manifest, they can be eradicated. If deeds are not preserved and faults are not eradicated, how can one's name be inscribed in the registers of immortals? How can longevity be hoped for? However, merit does not lie in its magnitude, but in rescuing those in need when encountered. Faults do not lie in their smallness, but in recognizing errors and correcting them. There is no need to rush into establishing merit or to toil in correcting faults. The key to correcting faults is to amend them and not repeat them; the key to establishing merit is to act consistently without growing weary. This is called renewing one's virtue daily, and thus receiving heavenly blessing. In such a case, why is it necessary to wait for the Eight Festivals and the Three Origins to speak of merit and repent for faults? The divine beings observe clearly, and this should naturally become a habit. Furthermore, when repenting for faults and praying, one must be sincere and focused, directing one's heart and mind toward the Three Pure Ones as if standing before the Golden Palace. There is no need to bow or prostrate, nor to recite words. If one merely adds bowing, kneeling, and chanting ordinary texts, it can be said to show small kindness to others, but it is not truly a grand plan of sincere gratitude and repentance.

 Explanation: Meritorious deeds should be kept hidden, while faults should be made manifest. Only when deeds are kept hidden can they be preserved, and only when faults are made manifest can they be eradicated. If one does not seek to preserve deeds and does not seek to eradicate faults, how can one's name be inscribed in the registers of immortals? Longevity cannot be hoped for either. But one must understand that merit does not lie in its magnitude; when the opportunity arises, one should act. Faults do not lie in their smallness; once discovered, they should be resolved. There is no need to seek quick results, nor to desperately search for faults to correct. The essence of correcting faults lies in amending them and not repeating them; the essence of establishing merit lies in continuous action. As the saying goes, if one generates new changes every day, heaven will naturally protect them. Therefore, as long as one acts in this way, why must one wait for the Three Origins and Eight Festivals to repent? As long as the divine beings observe oneself clearly, it should become a habit. Additionally, when repenting for faults, one must be sincere and focused, directing one's mind toward the Three Pure Ones as if they were present before oneself. There is no need to bow or recite words. If one merely adds bowing, kneeling, and chanting, it can only be said to be for others to see. Although it has positive significance, it cannot be considered sincere gratitude and heartfelt repentance.