法華義疏 5.7

5.7

In the sūtras and treatises, they are sometimes called pi and sometimes called yu; thus we know that pi and yu are different designations for [the same] focus. It can also be that they have distinct meanings: pi means 'to categorize', and yu means 'to clarify'. Borrowing near phenomena to illustrate distant principles and thereby clarifying matters for those who have not yet understood is called 'parable' (piyu). The Commentary states: 'Pi marks phenomena to speak of the mind; yu speaks of both the mind and phenomena.' However, within the sūtras and treatises there are four different types of propositions: First, borrowing the near to illustrate the distant, as this sūtra says: 'The great, wealthy elder is the Tathāgata.' Second, borrowing the distant to illustrate the near, as the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: 'Just as nirvāṇa is neither existent nor non-existent, sin is also like this—neither existent nor non-existent.' Third, using the near to illustrate the near, as the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā says: 'A state without brass compares it to gold.' Fourth, using the distant to illustrate the distant, as the Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra explains: 'What is it like, the limit of reality? It is said to be like the nature of phenomena.' This uses the nature of phenomena to illustrate the limit of reality.