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

In realms beyond our reach, lies a land
Adorned with Pure Light divine, so grand
A Buddha resides there, with a noble name
Wise King of Pure, Gorgeous Constellation Tathagata, of great fame

Worthy of offerings, with perfect sight
True wisdom and enlightenment, his mind so bright
His knowledge pure, his conduct right
His mind encompasses all, with knowledge vast and boundless might

Surrounded by boundless bodhisattvas in awe
He expounds the Law, without a single flaw
With wisdom vast, his teachings do ignite
A brilliant sight, shining with all its might

And then, a beam of light did shine
From Shakyamuni Buddha, a sign so divine
It reached that land and illuminated all
A call to heed, so powerful, a wonder to recall.

Inspired by the Lotus Sutra,
Chapter 24,
Wondrous Sound Bodhisattva,
Section 1, Paragraph 2

The Lotus Sutra is a Buddhist text that contains teachings and stories about the Buddha’s enlightenment and the practices of bodhisattvas. In Chapter 24, the story of Bodhisattva Wonderful Music is told. This section of the sutra is divided into two parts, the first of which describes how Bodhisattva Wonderful Music came to the Saha world, and the second of which explains how he cultivated his merits and the type of samadhi he practiced for the salvation of living beings.

Bodhisattva Wonderful Music is an example of a bodhisattva who does not reside in the Saha world. When Shakyamuni Buddha emits a brilliant light, signifying the preaching of the Lotus Sutra, Bodhisattva Wonderful Music travels to the Saha world to listen to the teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha and pay homage to the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. However, Wise King of Pure and Gorgeous Constellation Buddha cautions Bodhisattva Wonderful Music not to belittle the miniature sizes of the Buddha and bodhisattvas in the Saha world.

Bodhisattva Splendid Virtue asks Shakyamuni Buddha about how Bodhisattva Wonderful Music cultivated his merits and which type of samadhi he practiced in order to save living beings. Shakyamuni Buddha explains that Bodhisattva Wonderful Music accumulated virtuous roots by giving offerings of music and songs to King of Thunderous Sound in the Clouds Buddha in the past. Music and songs are a wonderful way to give offerings to the Buddhas, apart from the usual offerings such as flowers or incense. The samadhi practiced by Bodhisattva Wonderful Music was the Samadhi of Revelation of All Forms. This samadhi enabled him to transform into various forms at will for the preaching of the Lotus Sutra and the salvation of all living beings in the Saha world.

The key messages of this section of the Lotus Sutra are that there are many bodhisattvas living in the Universe, and that worshiping the Buddha and forming connections with other bodhisattvas are important for developing virtuous roots. In addition, the Samadhi of Revelation of All Forms is an expedient method for salvation that takes into consideration the different needs and natures of living beings. This type of meditation enables the bodhisattva to transform into immeasurable forms in order to save living beings.

In conclusion, the Lotus Sutra provides insights into the teachings and practices of bodhisattvas, and the story of Bodhisattva Wonderful Music is a testament to the importance of virtuous roots and expedient methods for salvation. Bodhisattva Wonderful Music’s cultivation and samadhi illustrate the power of music and songs as offerings to the Buddhas, and the ability of bodhisattvas to transform into various forms for the salvation of living beings. The Lotus Sutra remains a powerful and influential text in Buddhism, providing guidance and inspiration for Buddhists around the world.