“Śāriputra! Suppose there lived a very rich man in a certain country, in a certain village, in a certain town.

From this phrase on [the Buddha’s] doctrine is explained analogically. There are seven segments, in total, illustrating li. The first segment relates the frequent occurrence of calamities and various misfortunes in the house. In the second is shown that only those who are awakened to these calamities and misfortunes are Buddhas. The third tells that the Buddha, having been awakened himself, has great compassion (Mahākaruṇā) arising in him, [and that he means] to rescue all children. In the fourth, as he will later offer the happiness of the three vehicles, he first talks about the dreadful happening in the house. Fifth, [the Buddha] offers them the happiness of the three vehicles. Sixth, [the Buddha] provides them with the utmost happiness of the One Vehicle, which is true and real. Seventh, it turns out that the three carts [the Buddha] promised earlier are not to be given at the end, [the promise] being empty and false.

A country refers to a place where cities are located. The multitudinous beings are situated in the cities of the three realms (triloka); we call them the country. The first segment [begins here]. A city-state refers to the supreme ultimate. The ultimate is analogized as the city-state. [The Buddha’s] limited approach to men is compared to “a municipality,” which is synonymous with a city. The Buddha in accordance with doctrine follows [varying] existential situations (shih); thus all kinds of names have been created.