An Analytical Study of the Metaphor Method in Nāgasenabhikṣu Sūtra

Abstract

This study employs qualitative document analysis to investigate the metaphorical method in Buddhist scriptures, with particular emphasis on the Nāgasenabhikṣu Sūtra (Chinese version). The research pursues three objectives:
(1) to examine the use of metaphor in Buddhist scriptures; (2) to explore the historical and textual background of the Nāgasenabhikṣu Sūtra; and (3) to analyze the application of metaphorical methods within this text.

The findings indicate that metaphors are widely employed across Theravāda, Sectarian, and Mahāyāna traditions as pedagogical tools that enhance the persuasiveness, memorability, and accessibility of Buddhist teachings. By framing abstract philosophical concepts in familiar images, metaphors function as an effective means of communication, fostering both intellectual understanding and spiritual engagement among listeners and practitioners. Regarding the Nāgasenabhikṣu Sūtra, the study highlights its historical and cultural context, including its transmission, linguistic background, and the intellectual exchange between Bhikṣu Nāgasena and King Milinda. This dialogue not only demonstrates the philosophical depth of Buddhist reasoning but also reveals the sūtra’s reliance on metaphor as a didactic device. The analysis further shows that metaphors in the text are organized thematically and doctrinally, serving to simplify intricate doctrines, reinforce memory, and stimulate reflection. Beyond their rhetorical function, these metaphors provide insight into Buddhist hermeneutics and teaching strategies, underscoring the enduring role of metaphor in bridging philosophical abstraction with experiential understanding.

This study affirms that the metaphor method in the Nāgasenabhikṣu Sūtra represents a distinctive mode of Buddhist pedagogy, one that integrates philosophical rigor with accessible communication, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on Buddhist literary and educational traditions.