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 oneÂ’s 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.