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

In the world’s vast teachings, the Lotus Sutra stands tall,
Guiding us towards a state that’s pure and all,
The Eightfold Path, with its principles so clear,
Leading us to enlightenment, with a goal so dear.

The first step, right understanding is key,
The Four Noble Truths, we must clearly see,
Suffering, its cause, and its end so fine,
The path to liberation, so divine.

“All beings can attain Buddhahood,” a truth so vast,
The Lotus Sutra’s “One Vehicle” will forever last,
Infinite potential, in every living thing,
To attain enlightenment, with joy and zing.

The second step, cultivate a compassionate intent,
To all beings, benefit, and contentment augment,
Empathy and kindness, we must sow,
For all beings to flourish and grow.

Aligned with the sutra’s message pure,
Eightfold Path’s principles, we must ensure,
Guide our actions, every day and night,
For the benefit of all, pure and bright.

The third step, avoid harmful speech with care,
Speak only truth, with words that repair,
Promote the sutra’s teachings, always anew,
In every action, may we stay true.

Engage in discourse, avoiding lies and wrath,
Creating harmony on the right path,
Compassionate communication, we must employ,
For all beings to find joy and deploy.

The fourth step, six perfections to practice right,
Generosity, morality, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom, shining bright,
With each virtue, harm we must avoid,
And promote purity in every act employed.

Living a life that’s ethical, pure and sound,
With actions that lift others off the ground,
Empathy and kindness in every deed,
With love and compassion, we should lead.

The fifth step, right livelihood in sight,
Avoiding actions that cause harm and fight,
May our work be ethical and just,
And cause no harm, without any lust.

Following the sutra’s principles true,
Eightfold Path’s teachings, always in view,
Our actions must align with the pure,
With every step, our virtue, we ensure.

The sixth step, right effort we must make,
The mind to develop, with new insight to take,
With each practice, the six perfections to employ,
And persevere until we reach enlightenment’s joy.

With generosity, we practice giving and sharing,
Morality, patience, with a heart that’s caring,
Effort, concentration, with wisdom’s light,
We walk the path that’s pure and bright.

The seventh step, establish mindfulness true,
In the present moment, we must imbue,
Being aware of our thoughts and feelings, through and through,
And seeing things with clarity, fresh and new.

Contemplating the sutra’s teachings, with care,
Brings understanding, that’s pure and rare,
Seeing reality as it is, with no illusion or glare,
In this present moment, we can find the path that’s fair.

The eighth step, develop right concentration clear,
With a calm and focused mind, we have nothing to fear,
Mental stability, with insight profound,
With wisdom and compassion, we astound.

Through visualization and recitation so clear,
We can gain a mind that’s pure and sheer,
In the present moment, we find peace and stillness,
And attain enlightenment, with grace and finesse.

Let’s follow the Lotus Sutra’s lead,
And Eightfold Path’s teachings, with full speed,
Guiding us on the path towards enlightenment,
A state of being that’s pure and luminous, in every moment.

And so we walk the path that’s pure and bright,
With every step, our virtues shining like a light,
May our actions be aligned with these principles,
And lead us to a state of being that’s pure and mystical.

May we follow the Lotus Sutra’s lead,
And the Eightfold Path’s teachings, with great speed,
Guiding us on the way to reach,
Enlightenment, and its profound reach.

With every verse, our hearts are set ablaze,
A rhythm of harmony, a melody that plays,
May we sing with love and devotion,
And walk the path towards enlightenment with pure emotion.

So let’s walk the path of the Eightfold Way,
With the Lotus Sutra as our guide every day,
May our actions be pure and bright,
Leading us to the ultimate goal, pure and right.

And as we sing this song of peace and love,
May we be guided by the light from above,
Towards a state of being that’s pure and true,
Where love and compassion always shine through.