Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School
淨土宗妙喻
Two Rivers and A White Path (continued)
The reference to a traveler walking on the white path, single-mindedly and heading straight to the west, is also a metaphor. It shows that the man resolves “to dedicate his merits and virtues from assorted practices”. According to the Contemplation Sutra, this means dedicating all the merits from the three meritorious practices and “going all the way towards the west”, i.e., the Western Pure Land of Bliss.
The man hears someone on the east bank calling out to him, “Oh traveler! Just follow the white path toward the west.” The voice urging him is Shakyamuni Buddha’s. Why is it that we only hear Shakyamuni Buddha’s voice but cannot see him? This is because Shakyamuni Buddha has long ago entered nirvana, leaving behind his teachings, as symbolized by his voice.
Hearing someone exhorting him on the east bank and another one imploring from the west bank, the traveler resolves to follow the white path. However, hardly has he taken a few steps when someone else shouts out to him, “My friend, come back! That way is too dangerous. You won’t make it alive!” This is an allegory regarding those who have different understandings, practices, and wrong views.
They confuse and distract themselves and others with their false teachings and opinions. As a result, the great benefit of rebirth in the Land of Bliss is lost. They even fall into retrogression by committing evil deeds.
The voice from the west bank imploring. “O Traveler! Come straight here at once with single-mindedness and right attention” refers to Amitabha’s vows.
Metaphorically, it is the Buddha’s assurance to Amitabha-reciters - “Rely on the power of my vows and I will protect you! You need not fear the water of greed or the fire of anger and hatred.”
The traveler arrives at the west bank in no time and joyfully meets virtuous friends. What does that mean? It describes the true nature of our existence. We ordinary beings have been trapped in the endless cycle of birth and death since time immemorial. We are confused and deluded, entangled in retributions for karmic offenses, with no hope of liberation.
Shakyamuni Buddha urges us on the east bank, “You must aspire to be reborn in the Western Land of Bliss!” Meanwhile, Amitabha Buddha beckons from the other shore for our return home.
Let us have faith in Shakyamuni Buddha and heed his exhortation. Let us have faith in Amitabha Buddha and answer his call for us to come home. It is the fundamental intent of Shakyamuni Buddha and the Fundamental Vow of Amitabha Buddha that we be liberated from Samsara.
No matter how intense and debilitating our greed, anger and hatred are, they will be eliminated by holding fast to the practice of Amitabha-recitation. Just focus on it single-mindedly and follow the white path, the path that is born through the power of Amitabha’ vows.
Our life in this world is very short. It will be over in a flash. We will then be reborn in the Pure Land of Bliss and reunited with Amitabha Buddha. How wonderful and happy we will be!
二河白道喻 (續)
這個人走在白道上,一心直進,向西而去,“回諸行業”,以《觀經》來講,就是三福回向;“直向西方”,向西方極樂淨土而去。
東岸聽到有人在勸他:“仁者,你順著這條白道往西邊走”,東岸這個人就代表釋迦牟尼佛。為什麼只聽到聲音、見不到人呢?因為釋迦牟尼佛已經入滅了,有經典留在世上,經典就像釋迦牟尼佛的聲音。
這個人聽到東岸有人發遣、西岸有人呼喚,他就上了白道。但是,才走幾步,就有人喊他:“仁者回來!此道險惡不能過,必死無疑!”這是比喻那些別解、別行、惡見的人,妄說自己的見解,彼此迷惑動亂,失去往生大利;還有自己造罪退失的。
西岸有人在招喚“仁者,汝一心正念直來”,以此比喻阿彌陀佛誓願。“靠我的大誓願力來保護你!你不用害怕貪瞋水火。”
很快到了西岸,善友相見很歡喜,這比喻什麼呢?這是我們本來的狀況,曠劫以來沉沒在生死輪轉當中,迷惑顛倒,惡業纏縛,無法解脫。
在東岸,釋迦牟尼佛說:你要往生西方!阿彌陀佛在對面招手,呼喚我們。
信順釋迦牟尼佛的發遣,信順阿彌陀佛的招喚,信順釋迦牟尼佛的本懷和阿彌陀佛的本願。不管貪瞋煩惱多麼熾盛。一切不顧!心心唸唸,只管唸佛,踏上阿彌陀佛願力的白道。我們這一生,壽命很短暫,剎那之間過去了,就往生淨土,與佛相見,這是多麼歡喜的事情啊!
Namo Amituofo!
