Literary History of Sanskrit Buddhism

Mahāyānasūtras – 86
meanest piece of work by the workmen in his house but takes
opportunity frequently to associate with him and gradually worms
himself into his confidence. Twenty years in this way pass by
without the father being recognised by the son. When on the point of
death he summons all his relations and announces that the beggar,
who had become his confidential servant was his own son, and
appoints him heir to all his estate. This wealthy man was the Buddha,
the son that was lost and recovered are the human children who only
very gradually draw themselves to the Buddha, the wise father, and
finally acquire his fortunate legacy. [69]
Figurative language
The Master is as frequently compared to a physician as to a loving
father. The simile is especially expanded in which the children of the
world are likened to those that are born blind and whose eyes are
opened by the great physician Buddha (p. 129 ff.). That the Buddha
knows no partiality but is to all equally a good father and physician
is brought home by means of two charming metaphors. Just as a
powerful rain cloud goes down caves and refreshes all grass, verdure
and trees by its moisture and just as the latter sucked by the dryness
of the earth blow into it new life, so also appears the Buddha in the
world and renovates all creatures by bringing them the gift of peace.
As the sun and the moon send down their rays equally on all, on the
good and the wicked, on the high and the low, so the precepts of the
Buddha are for the whole world. (pp. 199 ff. 122 ff, 128 ff.)