Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School
淨土宗妙喻
Vast Oceans vs Water Droplets
All water on earth, vast oceans and tiny droplets alike, reflect the image of the moon in the same way. The moon’s image is intact and complete, whatever the size of the body of water.
The same principle applies to sentient beings in their practice of Amitabha-recitation.
Amitabha’s deliverance is compared to a bright full moon in the sky, sentient beings of various aptitudes are like different bodies of water on earth. Bodhisattvas of superior aptitude, who have profound aspirations and wisdom, and are able to endure the difficult practices based on self-power, are like water in an ocean. Those of lesser aptitude, who have fewer aspirations, limited wisdom, and who are unable to cultivate any virtues, are like droplets of water. These ordinary beings include those who, at their lives’ end, belong to the lowest level of the lowest grade of people.
By practicing Amitabha-recitation, both great Bodhisattvas and ordinary beings equally attain all of Amitabha’s merits and virtues. There is no difference in the benefits they derive from the practice. Hence, the saying [by Master Shandao], “Practitioners of the Five Vehicles can all be reborn in the Pure Land ”, with “ the same merits and appearance”.
Although small in size, every drop of water can reflect the moon. Similarly, although possessing lesser intelligence and aptitude, ordinary beings can still receive all of the merits within Amitabha’s Great Name of Myriad Virtues.
12. 大海與微滴
一大海水映照天上完整的月亮,一小滴水也映照天上完整的月亮;不因海大其月便大,不因滴小其月便小。眾生念佛亦復如是。
彌陀救度如天上之明月,眾生根機如地上之眾水。大根機、大心量、大智慧、大修行之大菩薩如大海水;小根機、小心量、無智慧、無修行,乃至造罪臨終之下下品如微滴水。
至其念佛,則大菩薩與罪凡夫同獲彌陀全體功德,不增不減,無高無低,故言「五乘齊入」,亦說「平等一相」。水滴雖小,能映全月;凡心雖微,能納洪名。
Namo Amituofo!
