Upaya

Once they have reached that stage of enlightenment then they would no longer need the use of skilful means. Once a person gains enlightenment then they are exempt from being part of the cycle of samsara. (Pye, 37).
             Throughout the Lotus Sutra, parables and similes are used by the Buddha to help his followers to understand his message. One parable that the Buddha uses to justify his use of skilful means is the story of the rich man and the burning filled with the children. In this story the house of the wealthy man catches on fire. The man realizes the dangers that the fire poses to his family. Meanwhile, his children continue to play their games because they do not see the fire and cannot sense the danger. The man must act fast to save his children. Though he is strong he cannot carry all of his children out through the very small gate. Thus, he decides the only way to save them is through the promise of gifts. Once the children are outside they demand their presents. Since the father is very rich he is able to give them each the gift that he promised (Watson, 34-36).
             The Buddha tells his followers that the father in this parable is himself. Just like the father, the Buddha sees and senses the dangers that threaten human beings on a daily bases. Similar to the father, the Buddha cannot carry the humans to safety. It is for this reason that Buddha uses skilful means to explain the way to enlightenment. Buddha goes on to state that what the father did was necessary and what the Buddha is doing is also necessary if people are to be saved from the cycle of samsara (Watson, 36-38).
             Another parable used by the Buddha to explain the idea of eternal Buddha is the story of the doctor and his poisoned children. While the doctor was out his children got the notion to take some poison. The poison had different affect on each of his children. When the doctor came home and realized that his children had taken poison he had to give them medication.