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

Though treasure-laden worlds are offered,
To Buddhas, bodhisattvas, arhats,
Their merits fall short of the one,
Who embraces the Lotus Sutra’s arts.

Even if a single stanza,
Of four lines, is held in one’s hand,
Its blessings surpass all that’s given,
In this and other worlds’ expanse.

For the Lotus Sutra reigns supreme,
Its power to enlighten and guide,
The one who embraces its themes,
Is blessed, beyond measure and wide.

Inspired by the Lotus Sutra
Chapter 23, History of the Bodhisattva Medicine King,
Section 2, paragraph 3

The Lotus Sutra, chapter 23, History of Bodhisattva Medicine King, Section 1: Paragraphs 1─18 and Section 2: Paragraphs 1─21, presents an enlightening story about the background of Bodhisattva Medicine King, emphasizing the significance of embracing and expounding the Lotus Sutra.

In the first section, Bodhisattva Flower King of Constellation inquires about the background of Bodhisattva Medicine King. The story unfolds with Bodhisattva Joyfully Seen by All Living Beings, the previous incarnation of Bodhisattva Medicine King, who was eternally grateful to hear the Lotus Sutra from Virtues as Pure and Brilliant as the Sun and Moon Buddha. Although he made numerous offerings, he felt they were insufficient, and as a result, he decided to sacrifice his life by setting his body ablaze as an offering to that Buddha. Through this act of sacrifice, he was reborn via metamorphosis in the family of King Pure Virtue, where he continued to make offerings to Virtues as Pure and Brilliant as the Sun and Moon Buddha. However, when the Buddha was about to enter parinirvana, Bodhisattva Joyfully Seen by All Living Beings was still not contented with his offerings. Hence, he burnt both his arms as an offering to the Buddha, which were then regenerated due to his great vow of attaining Buddhahood.

In the second section, the Buddha teaches the superiority of embracing and expounding the Lotus Sutra. The merits of sacrificial offerings and material offerings are compared, and it is explained that they cannot surpass the merits of those who accept and embrace the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra is presented as the King of all Sutras, and those who embrace it are comparable only with Tathagata. Even if a person accepts only one stanza of the entire Lotus Sutra, he or she has the foremost in blessing and benefit, far surpassing that of any sacrificial or material offering.

The key message of this chapter is that the Lotus Sutra is the King of all Sutras, and no merits from a sacrificial or material offering are comparable to the merits received from embracing and expounding the Lotus Sutra. This message is of great significance as it highlights the importance of the Buddha’s teachings and the Lotus Sutra in particular, emphasizing the fact that true enlightenment can only be attained through the acceptance and propagation of the Lotus Sutra.

In conclusion, the Lotus Sutra, chapter 23, History of Bodhisattva Medicine King, Section 1: Paragraphs 1─18 and Section 2: Paragraphs 1─21, provides a profound and enlightening message about the importance of embracing and expounding the Lotus Sutra. It demonstrates the significance of the Buddha’s teachings and their ability to guide individuals towards enlightenment. The story of Bodhisattva Medicine King and his predecessors serves as a powerful reminder of the value of devotion, sacrifice, and the unwavering pursuit of the Buddha’s teachings.