The decision to use parables to convey the Buddha’s teachings was a conscious one. Just as Buddhists taught that it was not necessary for all to adopt the same lifestyle in order to achieve enlightenment, they also believed that it was not necessary for everyone to receive the Buddha’s teachings in the same form. The teachings contained essential and eternal truths, but the presentation of those truths could, and should, be adapted to meet the needs and abilities of each person. In the excerpts from the Buddha’s teachings included here, the Buddha explains the importance of parables and then elaborates on his point in the parable entitled “The Burning Mansion,” a parable about parables. As you read the excerpts, consider both their theological and social implications. What do they tell you about Buddhism? What do they tell you about how Buddhist elites viewed their own society?

Parables

And the Blessed One thought: “I have taught the truth which is excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, and excellent in the end; it is glorious in its spirit and glorious in its letter. But simple as it is, the people cannot understand it. I must speak to them in their own language, I must adapt my thoughts to their thoughts. They are like unto children, and love to hear tales. Therefore, I will tell them stories to explain the glory of the dharma. If they cannot grasp the truth in the abstract arguments by which I have reached it, they may nevertheless come to understand it, if it is illustrated in parables.”

The Burning Mansion

There was a wealthy householder who possessed a large but old mansion; its rafters were worm-eaten, its pillars rotten, its roof dry and combustible. And it happened on one day that there was a smell of fire. The householder ran out doors and saw the thatch all ablaze. He was horror-struck, for he loved his children dearly, and knew that, ignorant of the danger, they were romping about in the burning mansion.

The distracted father thought to himself, “What shall I do? The children are ignorant, and it will be useless to warn them of the danger. If I run in to catch them and carry them out in my arms, they will run away, and while I might save one of them, the others would perish in the flames.” Suddenly an idea came to him. “My children love toys,” he thought; “if I promise them playthings of wonderful beauty, they will listen to me.”

Then he shouted aloud: “Children, come out and see the exquisite feast your father has prepared for you. Here are toys for you finer than you have ever seen. Come quickly, before it is too late!”

And lo! from the blazing ruins the children came out in full haste. The word “toys” had caught their minds. Then the fond father in his joy bought them the most precious playthings, and, when they saw the destruction of the house, they understood the good intention of their father, and praised the wisdom which had saved their lives.

The Tathâgata knows that the children of the world love the tinsel of worldly pleasures; he describes the bliss of righteousness, thus endeavoring to save their souls from perdition, and he will give them the spiritual treasures of truth.

Source: Paul Carus, The Gospel of Buddha (Chicago: The Open Court Publishing Company, 1896), pp. 158–159.

Questions to Consider