法華玄論 7.3

7.3

Master Guangzhai posited nine parables: first, father and son losing each other; second, father and son seeing each other; third, calling the son without reaching him; fourth, calling the son and reaching him; fifth, instructing him to be a laborer; sixth, entrusting the wealth; seventh, knowing the son's lofty aspiration; eighth, bequeathing the family estate; ninth, receiving the family estate with joy. Critical assessment: This parable is difficult to understand, fully containing a multitude of meanings; it cannot be expounded merely according to the literal text. I shall now set forth its aspects extensively under fourteen headings; once this metaphor is grasped, the preceding chapter will naturally become clear.