PARABLES OF THE LOTUS SUTRA

A distinctive feature of the Lotus Sutra is the use of parables. The parables contain many layers of metaphor that have inspired a wide range of interpretation. The major parables include:

•The Burning House. A man lures his children out of a burning house (Chapter 3).

•The Prodigal Son. A poor, self-loathing man gradually learns that he is wealthy beyond measure (Chapter 4).

•The Medicinal Herbs. Although they grow in the same ground and receive the same rain, plants grow in different ways (Chapter 5).

•The Phantom City. A man leading people on a difficult journey conjures an illusion of a beautiful city to give them the heart to keep going (Chapter 7).

•The Gem in the Jacket. A man sews a gem into his friend's jacket. However, the friend wanders in poverty not knowing that he possesses a gem of great value (Chapter 8).

•The Gem in the King's Top-Knot. A king bestows many gifts but reserves his most priceless jewel for a person of exceptional merit (Chapter 14).

•The Excellent Physician. A physician's children are dying of poison but lack the sense to take medicine (Chapter 16).