Chapter 5 has the simile of the plants. From a great cloud, rain falls equally on all, and from the great earth, blessings come equally to all. But just as various kinds of plants grow luxuriantly, the truth that the Buddha discovered and the things the Buddha taught, though one and the same for all, are different according to differences in listeners’ abilities to understand. Regarding “three plants and two trees,” “small plants” refers to the common thinking of human and heavenly beings, “medium-sized plants” to the thought of the two Small Vehicle vehicles, “large plants” to the thought of Mahayana bodhisattvas. “Small trees” refers to bodhisattvas who benefit only themselves, and “large trees” to bodhisattvas who benefit others.

This chapter emphasizes the oneness of the truth taught by the Buddha and the equality of his compassion. “The Dharma taught by the Tathagata is one and the same for all.” “The Buddha’s unbiased teaching is like the single flavor of the rain.” “I look upon all, without exception, as equal, without distinction, or any thought of love or hate.” “Constantly, for the sake of all, I teach the Dharma equally.”

Further, we find the following kind of expression: “Those who have not yet been saved will be saved; those who have not been set free will be set free; those who have had no rest will have rest; those who have not yet obtained nirvana will obtain nirvana. I understand both the present world and the worlds to come as they really are. I am one who knows all, one who sees all, one who knows the Way, one who opens the Way, one who teaches the Way.”