Let me interject a caution here. I’m not sure I would have even mentioned this say 10 or so years earlier, but I need to address the increase of religions that teach prosperity as an indicator of faith or that prosperity must come first before helping others. While it is true that we benefit from our practice, it is not true that our benefits are the indicator of our faith or practice. Prosperity has nothing to do with joy. It has nothing to do with enlightenment. The Buddha turned his back on prosperity. He turned his back on austerity. If our teacher did this, shouldn’t we also? You do not need to become wealthy to benefit others. Your financial situation has nothing to do with your ability to benefit others. It has nothing to do with your ability to cause others to be joyful. It has nothing to do with your enlightenment. In fact, financial prosperity may even hinder all of the above. This is not to say we shouldn’t try to become secure in our living situations, or that we shouldn’t try to be wise in our finances. Finances and prosperity are simply things that can hinder or encourage, but it is the hindering and encouraging we should focus on. When we become virtuous, kind, trustworthy, respectful, humble in ourselves, then we are manifesting the qualities desired. These are unmeasurable and not indicated by our bank account or dwelling place or the car we drive or the clothes we wear. These qualities are in our actions and our words, our presence of being. Being honest with yourself you will know and others will certainly respond.

“This is the place of practice where the Three Treasures of ultimate truth and the unseen beings who protect the Dharma now appear and descend to this place. They see us clearly with the light of their wisdom. This place of practice where we are is the Pure Land of Eternally Tranquil Light. This present form-body is the awakened Dharma-Body. The sutra that we are upholding is what all Buddhas certify as the Dharma. The thought that is rightly upheld is the entire Dharma-realm. May each sound and each thought and all the virtues spread equally to adorn the Buddha’s land as offerings to the Three Treasures and contributions to all sentient beings.

“May awakening spread everywhere manifesting its light. May all the natural spirits, other beings, and the four kind of devotees in this world, those who are far and near, inside and outside the place of practice, throughout heaven and earth, and those who have a relationship with the Dharma and are seeing, hearing, and enjoying it receive conspicuous and inconspicuous benefit equally and limitlessly.”

Shutei Hoyo Shiki page 395