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

Oh Bhagavat, divine and pure,
The dharani, incantation sure,
Recited by Buddhas far and wide,
As countless as Ganges’ sands collide.

Harm not the Teachers of the Law,
For in doing so, you harm much more.
You harm the Buddhas, great and true,
And all they stand for, and all they do.

The power of the dharani is vast,
A shield against harm, it will last.
Protecting those who teach and guide,
And all those who walk the Buddha’s side.

So let us all with reverence show,
Our gratitude, our love, and know,
That with the dharani, we can stand,
Against all harm, with a steadfast hand.

Inspired by the Lotus Sutra,
Chapter 26, Dharani,
Section 1, paragraph 6

The Lotus Sutra is one of the most influential and significant texts in Mahayana Buddhism. Chapter 26 of the Lotus Sutra, entitled Dharani, focuses on the power of incantation to protect teachers and practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. This chapter is divided into five sections, each of which presents a different incantation by various bodhisattvas and heavenly kings.

Section 1 of Chapter 26 presents the incantation by Bodhisattva Medicine King, whose role is to protect and heal. The incantation is designed to protect teachers of the Law, which refers to those who are responsible for teaching the Lotus Sutra to others. The incantation consists of seven paragraphs, and it emphasizes the power of the Buddha’s teachings to protect those who follow them.

Section 2 presents an incantation by Bodhisattva Courageous Giver, who is known for his bravery and generosity. This incantation is designed to protect both teachers of the Law and practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. The incantation is short and to the point, emphasizing the importance of faith in the Lotus Sutra as a means of protection.

Section 3 presents an incantation by Heavenly King Vaishravana, who is a protector of the Buddhist teachings. This incantation is also designed to protect teachers and practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. The incantation emphasizes the power of the Buddhist teachings to overcome obstacles and protect those who follow them.

Section 4 presents an incantation by Heavenly King Protector of the Nation, whose role is to protect the country and its people. This incantation is specifically designed to protect practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. The incantation emphasizes the power of the Lotus Sutra to protect those who follow it, and it emphasizes the importance of faith in the sutra as a means of protection.

Finally, section 5 presents an incantation by the rakshasa daughters, who are mythical beings known for their protective powers. This incantation is the longest of the five sections and is designed to protect practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. The incantation emphasizes the power of the Lotus Sutra to protect against evil and adversity, and it calls upon the powers of the rakshasa daughters to protect those who follow the sutra.

The key message of this chapter is the power of Dharani, which is a form of incantation in which the voice is used, as opposed to samadhi, in which a focused mind is involved. Dharani is a way to connect with the power of the Buddha’s teachings and to invoke their protection. The use of incantation and chanting is an important aspect of Buddhist practice, and it is believed to be a powerful tool for spiritual development and protection.

In conclusion, the Lotus Sutra, chapter 26, Dharani, presents a series of incantations that emphasize the power of the Buddha’s teachings to protect practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. These incantations are presented by various bodhisattvas and heavenly kings, each of whom has a specific role in Buddhist mythology. The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in the Lotus Sutra as a means of protection and the power of Dharani to connect with the Buddha’s teachings. Overall, this chapter is an important reminder of the role of incantation and chanting in Buddhist practice and its importance in spiritual development and protection.