In faculties there is [the distinction between] keeness and dullness: it follows that in enlightenment there is [the differences between those who can be awakened] early and [those who can only be awakened] late. [The Buddha] hitherto has made a presentation of the Dharma Blossom in a straightforward way, and those disciples with keen faculties have obtained an understanding of it, [as shown] in the preceding. Those who are dull have not been awakened yet. Thus [the Buddha] will explain it by resort to a parable. li is so profound and unfathomable that it is difficult to grasp it in one encounter. Therefore, [the Buddha] by evervarying adaptation, resorts to worldly things (shih) and images to depict his recondite purport. The worldly things borrowed to be analogized with li are referred to as parable.