PARABLES & STORIES

  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.