hidden virtue; secret merit
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
hidden virtue; merit accumulated through secret good deeds
Often used in religious or moral contexts, particularly in Buddhism and folk beliefs, referring to good deeds done without seeking recognition or reward.
Tā他
yī一
shēng生
xíng行
shàn善
，
jī积
le了
bù不
shǎo少
yīn阴
gōng功
。
He did good deeds all his life, accumulating much hidden virtue.
Jiù救
rén人
yī一
mìng命
shèng胜
zào造
qī七
jí级
fú浮
tú屠
，
zhè这
shì是
jī积
yīn阴
gōng功
de的
shì事
。
Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda—this is an act that accumulates hidden merit.
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Zǔ祖
bèi辈
jī积
dé德
，
yīn阴
gōng功
hù护
yòu佑
zǐ子
sūn孙
。
Ancestors accumulated virtue, and their hidden merit protects their descendants.