Some more on accumulations of merit.
A Treatise on the Paramis: From the Commentary to the Cariyapitaka.
Without wisdom, the virtues such as giving do not become purified
and cannot perform their respective functions. Just as, without
life, the bodily organism loses its luster and cannot perform its
proper activities, and as without consciousness the sense faculties
cannot exercise their functions in their respective spheres, just
so, without wisdom the faculties such as faith, etc., cannot perform
their functions. Wisdom is the chief cause for the practice of the
other parami.
Energy devoid of wisdom does not accomplish the purpose desired
since it is wrongly aroused, and it is better not to arouse energy
at all than to arouse it in the wrong way. But when energy is
conjoined with wisdom, there is nothing it cannot accomplish if
equipped with the proper means.
Furthermore, without wisdom there is no achievement of vision, and
without the achievement of vision there can be no accomplishment in
virtue. One lacking virtue and vision cannot achieve concentration,
and without concentration one cannot even secure one’s own welfare,
much less the lofty goal of providing for the welfare of others.
HOW MUCH TIME IS REQUIRED TO ACCOMPLISH THEM?
As a minimum, four incalculables (asankheyya) and a hundred thousand
great aeons (mahakappa); as a middle figure, eight incalculables and
a hundred thousand great aeons; and as a maximum, sixteen
incalculables and a hundred thousand great aeons.31 This threefold
division obtains by way of those in whom wisdom is predominant,
those in whom faith is predominant, and those in whom energy is
predominant, respectively. For those in whom wisdom is predominant,
faith is weakest and wisdom keenest; for those in whom faith is
predominant, wisdom is middling (and energy weakest); and for those
in whom energy is predominant, wisdom is weakest (and faith
middling). But supreme enlightenment must be achieved by the power
of wisdom; so it is said in the commentary. ""End commentary quote
Bhikkhu Bodhi
It should be noted that in established Theravaada tradition the paramis are not regarded as a discipline peculiar to candidates for Buddhahood alone but as practices which must be fulfilled by all aspirants to enlightenment and deliverance, whether as Buddhas, paccekabuddhas, or disciples. What distinguishes the supreme bodhisattva from aspirants in the other two vehicles is the degree to which the paramis must be cultivated and the length of time they must be pursued. But the qualities themselves are universal requisites for deliverance, which all must fulfill to at least a minimal degree to merit the fruits of the liberating path.
Thus all of us must have spent a great deal of time and developed merit to get to this human birth where we have confidence in the Dhamma. Yes it is much much easier to be a savaka bodhisatta than to become a Buddha. But still…