The Chinese bridge-building dream The idea that one can accumulate merit through charity is part of the traditional Chinese concept that deeds (good or bad) will earn their just desserts. Prior to the modern volunteer conception of "finding joy through helping others," the idea of "gaining merit for the nether world" was long the main motive force to encourage ordinary people to do good.
中國人的造橋夢行善積德得之於中國人傳統的果報觀念；在「助人為快樂之本」這種現代義工理念盛行之前，「積陰德」一直是驅策老百姓做好事的主要原動力。