On 19 August 2026, the third lesson of the 2026 Humanistic Buddhism Academy’s Introduction to the Lotus Sutra course was held at Fo Guang Shan Christchurch. Minister in Charge of FGS Christchurch Venerable Juexi led 29 participants in learning about several well-known parables from the Lotus Sutra and the compassion and wisdom behind the Buddha’s skilful means.
The session focused on Chapter Three, The Parable. Venerable Juexi explained that the Buddha gave Shariputra a prediction of future Buddhahood, making him the first Sravaka disciple to receive such a prediction. This teaching showed that everyone had the potential to attain Buddhahood.
Venerable Juexi then introduced the well-known Parable of the Burning House and explained that the world was compared to a burning house, while sentient beings were surrounded by the fires of ignorance, afflictions and impermanence. However, because they did not recognise the danger, they remained attached to worldly pleasures and were unwilling to leave.
In the parable, the Buddha was compared to a compassionate father whose children were playing inside a burning house without realising the danger. Knowing that they would not leave simply by being warned, the father used skilful means and offered them three carts they desired which are: a goat cart, a deer cart and an ox cart, in order to encourage them to leave the house.
Venerable explained that the three carts represented the Three Vehicles taught by the Buddha according to the different capacities and needs of sentient beings. The great white ox cart that the children eventually received represented the Supreme Vehicle. Although the Buddha used different teachings to guide different people, the ultimate goal remained the same: to help everyone awaken their Buddha-nature and attain Buddhahood.
Venerable Juexi reminded participants that learning Buddhism was not only about seeking personal liberation. Practitioners also needed to keep others in their minds by caring for and serving others and putting the Bodhisattva path into practice.
Venerable related the Three Vehicles to daily life and invited participants to reflect on the question, Which vehicle am I riding in now? And explained that moving from seeking personal liberation to serving others reflected the gradual development of one’s aspiration and practice. When sharing the Dharma with others, practitioners also needed to understand each person’s circumstances and respond appropriately while remaining aligned with the Buddha’s teachings.
At the conclusion of the session, Venerable Juexi encouraged participants to believe in their own potential and to continue nurturing their Buddha-nature. Studying Buddhist scriptures was not simply about understanding the words and teachings but also about applying the wisdom of the Dharma in daily life. Through wisdom, practitioners could gradually reduce afflictions, face challenges with greater clarity and find a way forward when encountering difficulties.
