This thesis tries to investigate the origin of the term ‘drstanatika’ (metaph-orist). The result of the study shows that a ‘darstanatika’ has special talent in expressing the Avadana literature and possesses the style of the Yogacara master. A ‘darstanatika’ is also called a bodhisattva.
The origin of the term ‘darstanatika’ is closely related to avadana. When a ‘darstanatika’ narrates the avadana, there are two metaphoric effects (namely: aupamya and drstanta). Hence, these narrators are called ‘darstanatika’. Thus, the origin of the name ‘darstanatika’ can be reckoned to be the result of the combination of the characteristics of avadana and aupamya. In addition, the term ‘darstanatika’ does not carry any implication of disdain initially.
