無量壽經優婆提舍願生偈註 2.97

2.97

不虛作住持功德成就者，蓋是阿彌陀如來本願力也。今當略示虛作之相不能住持，用顯彼不虛作住持之義。人有輟（止也，貞劣反）餐養士，或疊起舟中，積金盈庫而不免餓死，如斯之事觸目皆是。得非作得、在非守在，皆由虛妄業作，不能住持也。所言不虛作住持者，依本法藏菩薩四十八願、今日阿彌陀如來自在神力，願以成力、力以就願，願不徒然、力不虛設，力願相符畢竟不差，故曰成就。

The accomplishment of the merits of sustaining power that does not act in vain refers precisely to the power of Amitābha Tathāgata's fundamental vow. I shall now briefly indicate the marks of vain action that cannot sustain, so as to reveal the meaning of his sustaining power that does not act in vain. Some people forgo food to maintain retainers, or stack up [provisions] inside boats, or accumulate gold filling their storehouses, yet do not escape starving to death; things like this are encountered everywhere before one's eyes. What is gained is not gained by one's doing; what is preserved is not preserved by one's guarding—all are due to actions of false delusion, which cannot sustain. That which is called sustaining power that does not act in vain is based on the forty-eight vows of the former Bodhisattva Dharmākara and the present autonomous spiritual power of Amitābha Tathāgata: the vows have realized the power, and the power has accomplished the vows; the vows are not in vain, and the power is not exerted to no purpose; the power and vows correspond to each other, ultimately without discrepancy. Hence it is called accomplishment.