牛うしに引ひかれて善ぜん光こう寺じ参まいり

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.

• 友とも達だちに誘さそわれて行いったセミナーがとても役やくに立たった。まさに牛うしに引ひかれて善ぜん光こう寺じ参まいりだ。

  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.