樂邦文類 2.146

2.146

娑婆，苦境也。欲脫眾苦，必修西方。西方，樂國也。欲生極樂，必信佛言。譬如有人行於曠野，暮夜昏黑群賊在後，執持利器競來逼逐。四顧旁皇逃避無所，呼天叫地誰來救䘏？忽遇老父而告之言：「此去不遠，有長者居。福德威勢，盜賊不侵。樓閣真實，快樂自在。烟霧所障，汝不能睹。汝但決往，吾不汝誑。」其人聞語，歡喜勇躍，策步高驤，不復迴顧，注目一心更無他想，俄頃之間至長者所。群賊苦惱，杳絕蹤跡。種種快樂，無異所聞。彌陀攝受眾生，長者居也，安可不往？釋迦指導群迷，老父言也，安可不信？世之人於西方之說，懵不能知，比比皆是。知矣而不信、信矣而不修、修不能力者，十亦常八九焉。我今重覆設此譬喻，其不知者可以解會，而不信不修不力者亦可加勉矣。夫修西方而決願往生者，豈有他哉？善盡其力，如遇老父於避賊之時而已矣。

The Sahā world is a realm of suffering. If one wishes to escape its many sufferings, one must cultivate [the practice for] the Western realm. The Western realm is a land of bliss. If one wishes to be born in Ultimate Bliss, one must believe the Buddha's words. For example, suppose a person is traveling through a vast wilderness. At dusk and dark of night, a band of thieves follows behind, brandishing sharp weapons and rushing forward in pursuit. Looking around in panic, having nowhere to flee, crying out to heaven and earth, who comes to the rescue? Suddenly he meets an old father who tells him: 'Not far from here is the dwelling of an elder. Possessing blessings, virtue, and majestic power, thieves cannot invade it. Its towers and pavilions are genuine, and it is joyful and free. Obstructed by mist and fog, you cannot see it. Only be resolute in going; I will not deceive you.' Hearing these words, the man rejoices and leaps with courage; quickening his pace and striding forward, he looks back no more. Focusing his gaze with single-minded devotion, with no other thought, in a brief moment he reaches the elder's place. The afflictions of the band of thieves vanish without a trace. The manifold pleasures are no different from what he heard. Amitābha gathering in sentient beings is the elder's dwelling—how could one not go? Śākyamuni guiding the deluded multitudes is the old father's words—how could one not believe? In this world, those who are bewildered and ignorant regarding the teachings on the West are seen everywhere. Among those who know them yet do not believe, believe yet do not cultivate, or cultivate but fail to do so with effort, eight or nine out of ten are always such. I now repeatedly set forth this parable so that those who do not know may understand, and those who do not believe, do not cultivate, or do not strive may also be encouraged. As for cultivating [the practice for] the West and resolutely vowing to attain rebirth, what else is there to it? It is merely doing one's utmost, just like meeting the old father at the time of fleeing the thieves.