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

The Lotus Sutra is a central text in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. Within this sutra, there is a chapter entitled “Divine Powers of Tathagata,” which contains two sections. Section 1, comprising of paragraphs 1─9, outlines the vow made by bodhisattvas-mahasattvas to uphold and propagate the Lotus Sutra, the manifestation of divine powers by the Buddha, and his declaration that he has expounded all the Buddha’s teachings. The Buddha encourages people to accept, read, and expound the Lotus Sutra, with the key message being the attestation of the truth of teachings through the manifestation of divine powers.

The Bodhisattvas-mahasattvas’ vow to uphold and propagate the Lotus Sutra highlights the significance of this text within the Buddhist tradition. The Lotus Sutra is regarded as the ultimate teaching of the Buddha and is believed to contain the path to enlightenment. As such, those who vow to uphold and propagate the sutra are expressing their commitment to sharing the path to enlightenment with all sentient beings. This highlights the central role of compassion in Buddhism and the desire to help others.

The manifestation of divine powers by the Buddha and other Buddhas is a significant feature of this chapter. The Buddha extends his tongue to the Brahma heaven and emits resplendent rays of light from his body. These rays of light illuminate all the worlds, making visible billions of Buddhas in the Saha world. The manifestation of divine powers by the Buddha serves to attest to the truth of the teachings contained within the Lotus Sutra. It reinforces the belief that the teachings of the Buddha are not mere human creations, but instead are rooted in the ultimate reality of the universe.

The Buddha’s declaration that he has expounded all the Buddha’s teachings emphasizes the completeness of the teachings contained within the Lotus Sutra. This declaration indicates that the Lotus Sutra is the ultimate teaching of the Buddha and that all other teachings are encompassed within it. The completeness of the sutra serves to underscore its significance within the Buddhist tradition.

The encouragement by the Buddha to accept, read, and expound the Lotus Sutra highlights the importance of studying and sharing the teachings of the Buddha. The sutra is not meant to be merely read and understood but should also be practiced and shared with others. This emphasis on the sharing of the sutra highlights the Mahayana ideal of helping others and working for the benefit of all sentient beings.

The key message of this section is the attestation of the truth of teachings through the manifestation of divine powers. The manifestation of divine powers by the Buddha serves to attest to the truth of the teachings contained within the Lotus Sutra. It reinforces the belief that the teachings of the Buddha are not mere human creations but instead are rooted in the ultimate reality of the universe.

Section 2 of the chapter comprises of paragraphs 1─14, where Shakyamuni Buddha speaks in poetic stanzas to summarize the chapter. This section serves to emphasize the central message of the chapter and reinforces its significance within the Buddhist tradition.

In conclusion, Chapter 21 of the Lotus Sutra, “Divine Powers of Tathagata,” serves to highlight the significance of the Lotus Sutra within the Buddhist tradition. The chapter emphasizes the role of compassion in Buddhism and the importance of sharing the path to enlightenment with others. The manifestation of divine powers by the Buddha serves to attest to the truth of the teachings contained within the Lotus Sutra. The completeness of the sutra serves to underscore its significance within the Buddhist tradition. This chapter has significant implications for Buddhism and its followers, emphasizing the importance of studying and sharing the teachings of the Buddha to benefit all sentient beings.