Correcting a Therevadan

Maitrepada:The Lotus Sutra is obviously not meant to be taken literally being entirely myth and symbolism, although I know that a lot of people do take it literally which seems rather silly and perhaps dangerous.

Me: Metaphor and entity [or actuality] are two fundamental aspects to the Lotus Sutra. The lotus flower as metaphor is a flower that bears fruit and blossoms simultaneously. The entity of blossoming and bearing fruit simultaneously is Renge [of Namu Myoho renge kyo]. Every aspect of the Lotus Sutra can be understood as either metaphor or entity and more profoundly as both metaphor and entity.

For example, in the beginning of Chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha reveals the ten factors [or ten thusnesses or ten suchnesses] which are aspects that all Dharmas
[phenomena] possess:

Thus the Appearance, Thus the Nature, Thus the Essence, Thus the Power, Thus the Action, Thus the Cause, Thus the Condition, Thus the effect, thus the Retribution, and Thus the Ultimate Equality of the Original and the Last."

These factors refer wholly or partly to the material, spiritual and/or, essential aspects of all phenomena. The Ten Factors are not apparently metaphors. Nevertheless, from the most profound perspective, even the ten factors are a metaphor for the real reality, Namu Myoho renge kyo.

The Ceremony in the Air, as another example, can be analyzed from the perspective of both entity and metaphor. It is readily apparent that the Ceremony in the Air is a metaphor. However, the votaries of the Lotus Sutra perceive the Ceremony in the Air as both metaphor and entity since it is happening at this very moment as the Eternal Buddha transfers the Law of Namu Myoho renge kyo to the bodhisattvas who emerge from the earth.