一切眾生，譬如狂象惡馬。佛譬如象馬師而調御之也。無量義經曰：「調御大調御，無諸放逸行。猶如象馬師，能調無不調。」智度論二曰：「佛法為車弟子馬，實法寶主佛調御。若馬出道失正轍，如是當治令調伏。」又佛十號之一曰調御丈夫。
To tame and control as a master does a wild elephant or horse, or as the Buddha brings the passions of men under control, hence he is termed 調御丈夫 and 調御師 Puruṣa-damya-sārathi.