Day 7 concludes Chapter 3, A Parable, and begins Chapter 4, Understanding by Faith.

Having last month begun Day’s 7’s portion of Chapter 3, A Parable, we continue with Śākyamuni’s expedient explanation.

This triple world
Is my property.
All living beings therein
Are my children.

There are many sufferings
In this world.
Only I can save
[All living beings].

I told this to all living beings.
But they did not believe me
Because they were too much attached
To desires and defilements.

Therefore, I expediently expounded to them
The teaching of the Three Vehicles,
And caused them to know
The sufferings of the triple world.
I opened, showed, and expounded
The Way out of the world.

Those children who were resolute in mind
Were able to obtain
The six supernatural powers
Including the three major supernatural powers,
And to become cause-knowers
Or never-faltering Bodhisattvas.

After the Parable of the Burning House, it’s important underscore that Śākyamuni’s expedient teachings were necessary in order to cause people “to know The sufferings of the triple world.” Once they appreciated the danger, Śākyamuni “opened, showed, and expounded The Way out of the world.”

Fire? What’s a fire? I’m doing just fine here, thank you.