One person in Taiwan wanted to run for the provincial legislature. For five years before the intended election, he traveled all over the country and donated money in order to have his name placed in famous, public places. Everyone perceived him as a great benefactor. It was shrewd advertising, and although his initial investment was high, he probably made back all the money he spent after a year in office.

A sincere practitioner does not operate in such a manner. Even if he has profound wisdom and insight, he is not affected; after all, it is only wisdom and insight. He helps others and saves sentient beings. He does not cling to his past deeds.

Whenever you do something, do it wholeheartedly. But, once an action is completed, it is in the past. Drop it, and do not think about it anymore. Buddha delivered many people, but he did not perceive it as such. As far as Buddha was concerned, sentient beings save themselves. But our point of view is different. We say that Buddha saved people while he was alive. We also say he is still saving people, because if it were not for Buddha, the Dharma would not exist in the world today.