Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School
淨土宗妙喻
The parable of “Two Rivers and a White Path” by Master Shandao
7. Come Straight Without Deviation
There are several meanings of the phrase “come straight to the west.” First, it means to go directly, without being sidetracked or turning. Some might say, “Let me try other Dharma paths for a few years first. I can always come back to Amitabha-recitation.” Amitabha Buddha says, “No, please come straight here!”
The second meaning is to take immediate action, without delay, regarding the practice of Amitabha-recitation. There are those who think, “Let me wait until I retire before I start practicing the Dharma path of Amitabha-recitation.” Amitabha urges us and says, “No, please come here straight away! Don’t wait until after your retirement. Don’t delay until next year or any later time! Start your practice right away.
A third meaning is to undertake the practice squarely, without evasion. You can be sure there are always those who make excuses for avoiding the practice. “I can’t bring myself to recite Amitabha’s name when I’m still a meat-eater. I’m accumulating so much bad karma every day from eating meat, I can’t face the Buddha. It is much better if I start the practice after I’ve become a vegetarian. Amitabha replies, “No, please start now! Don’t shun the practice.”As an offender, it is all the more important to practice Amitabha- recitation.
二河白道喻
7.直來不拐彎。
“直來”,“直”有好幾種意思。一是直接、不拐彎。有人說:“我先去學學其他法門,學幾年再來念佛。
阿彌陀佛說:“不,要直來!”
二是直下、不耽誤。有人說:“我退休後再念佛。”阿彌陀佛說:“不,直來!不要等到退休,不要等到明年,不要等到某個時間,現在就念佛。”
三是直面、不回避。有人說:“我還沒有吃素,還在殺生造業,不好意思唸佛;等我能吃素,不殺生
再來念佛吧。” 阿彌陀佛說:“不,直來!不要躲閃。已是罪人,罪人更要念佛。”
Namo Amituofo!
