無量壽經優婆提舍願生偈註 2.97

2.97

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.