In Chapter 5 of the Lotus Sutra we find the following interchanged between a monk and Shakyamuni (“the Lord”):
When the Lord had thus spoken, the venerable Maha-Kasyapa said to him: Lord, if there are not three vehicles, for what reason then is the designation of disciples (Sravakas), Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas kept up in the present times?
…the Lord answered…as follows: It is, Kasyapa, as if a potter made different vessels out of the same clay. Some of those pots are to contain sugar, others ghee, others curd and milk; others, of inferior quality, are vessels of impurity. There is no diversity in the clay used; no, the diversity of the pots is due to the substances which are put into each of them. In like manner, Kasyapa, is there but one vehicle, viz. the Buddha-vehicle; there is no second vehicle, no third.
As before the three vehicles are:
- The vehicle of the disciples (those who sought Arhatship, ‘sainthood’, rather than perfect Buddhahood; such persons succeed in destroying mental defilements and detaching themselves from samsara, the cycle of birth, death, rebirth).
- The vehicle of the Pratyekabuddhas (those who achieve Buddhahood on their own without teachers or guides).
- The vehicle of the Bodhisattvas (those who withhold attainment of ultimate Buddhahood out of compassion for sentient beings).
By the “Buddha-vehicle” Shakyamuni means the third of these vehicles, the vehicle of the Bodhisattvas, as promoted in the Lotus Sutra.
Paul uses the image of different types of clay pots in a striking manner (2 Timothy 2:19-21):
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Paul has prefaced this with a reminder that becoming a Christian involves a commitment to turn away from wickedness. Immediately after using his own parable of clay pots to encourage cleansing from that which is ignoble he urges Timothy: “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (v22).
The Buddhist parable of the clay pots centres on committing oneself to walk the path of a bodhisattva in line with the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. Paul’s parable is concerned with living holy, godly lives that enable us to be used effectively by our Lord to achieve his good purposes.
Posted July 23, 2010
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