At the time that Bodhidharma came to China to give Dharma teachings, Emperor Wu of Liang asked him, “I did many good deeds, such as being vegetarian and reciting the name of the Buddha, just like a monk. How much merit have I earned?” Unexpectedly, Bodhidharma exclaimed, “No merit!” Why? Because all the good deeds that Emperor Wu of Liang did may had no connection to liberation, and were irrelevant to its attainment.

~ Luminous Wisdom 9: The Principles of Liberation