Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School
淨土宗妙喻
Metaphor 45: Jumping Over a Trench
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 interests in our present lives are also benefited.
It is very similar to a person who is able to jump over a three meter wide trench, he will have no problem crossing a much narrower ditch.
45. 跨壕溝喻
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。
就像既然能夠躍過一丈之遠的壕溝，那麼，跨越一尺二尺的水溝當然不在話下。
Namo Amituofo!
