無量壽經優婆提舍願生偈註 1.32

1.32

These two lines are called the accomplishment of the adornment of rain merits. Why did the Buddha originally give rise to this adornment? He saw that there are lands where people wish to spread robes on the ground to welcome the honoured one, or wish to use fragrant flowers and famous jewels to express their reverence, but because of poor karma and meager recompense, this matter does not come to pass. For this reason he gave rise to a great compassionate vow: 'May my land constantly rain these things to fulfill the wishes of sentient beings.' Why is it spoken of as 'rain'? It is feared that grasping people will say: 'If it constantly rains flowers and robes, it would surely clog up empty space. How could there be no obstruction?' Thus it is taken as a metaphor of rain. When rain is timely, there is no disaster of flooding. How could the recompense of the Land of Peace and Bliss contain anything that encumbers the mind? The sūtra says: 'During the six periods of day and night, it rains precious robes and precious flowers. The precious substance is soft; walking upon it, it sinks down four inches, and as one lifts one's foot, it returns to how it was. When their use is ended, they sink into the precious earth, as water enters a pit.' Therefore it is said: 'Raining flowers and robes as adornments, / Countless fragrances perfuming everywhere.'