Basic Purpose of the Chapter

According to Tao-sheng’s commentary, while Chapter 2 introduces the concept of skilful means, since people are of different capacities, some understanding right away and others requiring a further explanation in order to grasp it, the Buddha proceeded to employ a parable to clarify the notion of skilful means. (Kim, 399-400) Roughly speaking, this is a continuation of the teachings from Chapter 2.

Summary of the Chapter

• 1. Śāriputra is ecstatic and joyful after understanding without doubt the doctrine ofthe One Buddha Vehicle. (47-51)

1. The Buddha predicts that in the future Śāriputra will become a Buddha called

   1. Mahāratnapratimaṇḍita, meaning ‘Adorned with Great Jewels.’ (51-55)

2. Śāriputra asks the Buddha to explain further his teachings for beings who still have

• 1. doubts and perplexities. (55)

3. The Buddha, focusing on the teaching of skilful means, tells the “parable of the

• 1. burning house.”

  2. A rich man owns a house. The house is burning with his three children inside, distracted by their toys. Therefore, he devises an expedient:

     1. He promises them three carts drawn by a sheep, a deer and an ox. (55-58)

  3. The children escape, but instead of three carts, he has one great cart made

• • 1. of precious treasures. (58)

    2. This is not deception, but an expedient. (58)

• 4. The Buddha explains the symbolism in the parable: (59-60)

  5. The house is the triple world.

  6. The rich man is the Tathāgata.

  7. The children are sentient beings.

  8. Their toys are desires of the six senses.

  9. The fire is all the kinds of suffering.

• • 1. The three carts are the skilful means of the three vehicles: those for śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, and buddhas.

    2. The cart with the precious treasures is the One Buddha Vehicle.

• 10. True Bodhisattvas who seek the One Buddha Vehicle called Mahāsattvas, or great beings. (61)

  11. The teaching is repeated in verse form. (62-78)