Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School
淨土宗妙喻
Metaphor 43: Reciting Amitabha’s Name is Like Turning on a Light Switch
Master Shandao says in his Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra, “While Amitabha’s light shines everywhere, it only embraces those who recite his Name.”
We can see that the light of Amitabha permeates all worlds in the ten directions; but, embraces only those who recite his Name. Those who do not practice
Amitabha-recitation naturally cannot resonate with the Buddha and therefore will not be encompassed by his light. If we exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name, we will be embraced by his radiance, which benefits us in many ways.
Imagine there are several fluorescent lamps in a room, each controlled by a separate switch. Without someone turning on the lights, none of these lamps will illuminate the room. Reciting Amitabha’s Name is like switching on a lamp. Once the right button is pressed, the lamp lights up immediately, requiring no other efforts. When we recite Amitabha’s Name, we will be radiant like the Buddha, something that happens naturally and spontaneously.
43. 開關喻
唯攝念佛 —— 善導《觀經疏》云： 佛光普照，唯攝念佛者。也因為有前面這 幾種道理，所以顯現出彌陀光明普照十方世界，自然攝取念佛之人，可是如 果不是念佛的話，就與彌陀光明不相應，而不蒙彌陀光明攝取。只要我們念 佛就與佛光相應，就接觸佛光，蒙受佛光的利益。
比如說這個房間有日光燈，每盞日光燈都有各自的開關，不打開開關，日光 燈就不會亮。念佛就像按開關，開關一按，日光燈就亮，不假自求；念佛放佛 光，也是任運自然。
Namo Amituofo!
