user-1: One of the questions / answers recently posted here was about "storing" mental states for later.
Of course this isn't Buddhist, in the sense that it does not literally describe a selfless person.
But it could be metaphorical, couldn't it? The idea that the mind is like a computer, even though there are dis-analogous elements to that term, there are overlaps - like the way that persons have access to the past in memory, as if they were "stored".
So my question is: are any of the Buddhas actual teachings only metaphorical?

user111: 
This city (body) is built of bones, plastered with flesh and blood;
  within are decay and death, pride and jealousy. - [Dhp. 150] 

The Dhammapada is full of metaphors, similes and comparisons. It is a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form and one of the most widely read and best known Buddhist scriptures. Here's a good article on that. 

-1: <p>One of the questions / answers recently posted here was about "storing" mental states for later.</p>

<p>Of course this isn't Buddhist, in the sense that it does not literally describe a selfless person.</p>

<p>But it could be metaphorical, couldn't it? The idea that the mind is <strong><em>like</em></strong> a computer, even though there are dis-analogous elements to that term, there are overlaps - like the way that persons have access to the past in memory, <strong>as if</strong> they were "stored".</p>

<p>So my question is: are any of the Buddhas actual teachings only metaphorical?</p>
 111: <blockquote>
  <p>This city (body) is built of bones, plastered with flesh and blood;
  within are decay and death, pride and jealousy. - [Dhp. 150] </p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/" rel="nofollow">The Dhammapada</a> is full of metaphors, similes and comparisons. It is a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form and one of the most widely read and best known Buddhist scriptures. Here's a <a href="http://www.buddhismtoday.com/english/buddha/Teachings/023-tnt-simile.htm" rel="nofollow">good article</a> on that. </p>
