Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School
淨土宗妙喻
Metaphor 34: People on a Boat
The term “sincere mind” refers to both the mind of Amitabha Buddha and of sentient beings. On the one hand, the Buddha’s vow to rescue sentient beings is completely sincere. It is as unfailing and unchangeable as a diamond. On the other hand, the aspiration of sentient beings for rebirth in the Land of Bliss is also genuine. Both the rescuer and the one who needs to be rescued are sincere and stay true to their goal.
It is like a boat which is perfectly designed to carry people to the other side of the sea. If people on board trust the boat to do its job and do not jump ship midway, they will safely arrive at their destination.
34. 人坐船喻
這個「至心」，可以就佛和就眾生兩方面來講，也就是說：佛救度眾生是毫不 虛假的，如同金剛，永不改變；眾生的願生極樂世界也是不虛假的。救度的人 ，以及被救的人，都要有真心。好像我們人坐在船上，這艘船是真的要讓人坐 而到達彼岸，而這個人也真心誠意地依靠船、不離開船。這樣的話，船跟人、 救跟被救，就一體不離，同時能夠到達。
Namo Amituofo!
