譬喻=Analogy; 法華經=Lotus Sutra; 妙法蓮華=Wondrous Dharma Lotus flower; 一乘=One of big Vehicular; 諸法實相=All things ultimate reality; 開權顯實=Opening the expedient teachings and revealing the true; 圓教=One Perfect Teaching
Analogy and parables are extensively used in “Lotus Sutra” to deliver the very essence of this text and to show the key points of Buddha’s teachings. In form of analogies and parables, the text conveys the following ideas: One of big vehicular thought, All things ultimate reality, Opening the expedient teachings and revealing the true one, Opening the three kinds and merging in to one of big vehicular, Telling now story to display far accomplishments, and remote Shakya Tathagata a big vehicular thought of the analogy convey. The seven parables in “Lotus Sutra” indicate Tathagata’s idea of one big vehicle and contain Buddha’s supreme wisdom. All living beings have seven desires or attachments that are deeply implanted in their minds; therefore, Tathagata used words of simile and parable to lead all living beings to nirvana. There are seven stories told to deal with the seven types of arrogance. To help all living being remove the seven desires, Tathagata tell stories to the poor, the moderate, and the sharp intellect. Each parable, connected with one another, deals with one means of saving living beings from one of the seven afflictions. Each implies deep meanings and thoughts of “Lotus Sutra”. Each of them, developed by a thought-provoking story, expresses the one of big Vehicle concept and is presented in response to the true significance of “Lotus Sutra”. You can realize the meaning of one big Vehicle if you can understand the metaphors throughout the text.
