expression, noun
unexpected good fortune through another's invitation
Proverb meaning that one ends up doing something good or beneficial by chance, often through being led or invited by someone else. Literally 'being pulled to Zenkoji temple by a cow', based on a folk tale where a woman was dragged there by a cow and ended up finding faith.
友達に誘われて行ったセミナーがとても役に立った。まさに牛に引かれて善光寺参りだ。
The seminar I went to because a friend invited me turned out to be very useful. It was truly a case of being led to something good by chance.
From a folk tale in which an old woman was pulled to Zenkoji temple by a cow she was trying to catch, and through that visit she became a devout believer. The phrase is used proverbially to describe an unexpected positive outcome resulting from someone else's invitation or a chance event.