From Buddhism's Sacred Scripture: The Sutra of the Lotus of the Wonderful Dharma, Chapter 2, Part 3 of 4

Shariputra, listen carefully, for the Dharma (true teaching) which the Buddhas have attained, through the power of countless expedient means, they preach for the benefit of living beings. The thoughts that are in the minds of living beings, the different types of paths they follow, their various desires and natures, the good and bad deeds they have done in previous existences, all these the Buddha takes cognizance of, and then he employs causes, similes and parables, words that embody the power of expedient means, in order to gladden and please them all.