The aim of this research is to discuss the role of similes used by the Buddha and his contemporaries as found in the Nikayas. During the course of this work, I have discovered the following results:

            The main reason for the Buddha’s use of his listeners (puggalavemattatās). People come from different backgrounds and have different experiences. When the Buddha taught his doctrine, he wanted to explain doctrinal matters in a manner suited to the differences in the background and understanding of his listeners. Using similes was the best method to present the doctrine in a way his audience would find familiar. When doctrinal matters were conveyed by way of similes involving topics with which they were familiar, they could understand them easily.

            The Buddha’s doctrine is deep in meaning. It penetrates our conceptual knowledge. Our language is based upon our conceptual framework. Therefore, doctrinal points can not always be expressed

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