Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra

The path to enlightenment, a journey so grand,
For all disciples of the Buddha, at their command.
In the Lotus Sutra, chapter eight we’ll find,
Prophecies for arhats, apprentices and those so kind.

Ananda’s path, a Buddha he will be,
King of Natural Wisdom, as great as the sea.
In the land of Standing Banner, victory will reign,
And his life will be immeasurable, beyond all explain.

The reason for this prophecy, the Buddha did say,
In the past, Ananda’s aspiration led the way.
He delights in knowledge, while Buddha worked hard,
And now Ananda, the Guardian of the Law will guard.

Rahula too, will become a Buddha one day,
Walking on Flowers of Seven Treasures, his name to convey.
Eldest son of the Buddha, before enlightenment, he’ll be born,
And his life, land, disciples, True Law, all the same as Ananda’s adorn.

The two thousand disciples, with Jewel Form their name,
Will all become Buddhas, and fame they will claim.
Their lives will be one kalpa, and identical they’ll be, Their lands, disciples, True Law, all in harmony.

Each Buddha has a name, so distinctive and true,
Reflecting their nature, and wisdom, for me and for you.
And every disciple, the path to enlightenment, they’ll find,
For all are certain to become a Buddha, so wise, so kind.