Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School
淨土宗妙喻
Metaphor 46: Rice Husks and Straw are Part of a Harvest
As we have learned previously, there is an order of priority regarding the purposes of Amitabha’s vows. The principal objective is to enable our rebirth in the Pure Land, while the secondary purpose is to grant us benefits in our present lives. The former is fundamental, like the roots of a tree, and the latter is supplementary, like the leaves and flowers. Since our rebirth in the Pure Land is assured, it follows that the benefits in our present lives are also guaranteed.
This is like harvesting rice in the paddy fields: after the harvest, straw is the natural byproduct.
46. 收稻殼喻
阿彌陀佛對我們的誓願，是有本末、有主次的，當來往生是根本，現世利益是枝末。亦即既然能夠獲得往生，必然也能夠獲得現世利益。
就像種稻穀收成了，自然會有稻草的收穫。
Namo Amituofo!
