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

Oh great King, you must know true
A good friend is the reason, it’s not new
The cause and condition to meet a Buddha
And awaken the desire to attain
Supreme Perfect Enlightenment, the big kahuna

Through friendship, one’s life can be transformed
To meet the enlightened and be conformed
The power of a friend cannot be ignored
In the journey towards the path of the Lord

So cherish your friends, for they are great
The true cause and condition to change fate
And through the journey of enlightenment, they will guide
And help us conquer, transform and abide.

Inspired by the Lotus Sutra
chapter 27,
History of King Magnificent Glory
Section 2, paragraph 12

The Lotus Sutra is a revered Buddhist text that teaches the importance of cultivating wisdom and compassion to attain enlightenment. In Chapter 27, Shakyamuni Buddha narrates the History of King Magnificent Glory, a powerful king who dwelled amidst the teachings of Wise and Royal King of Thunderous Sounds in the Clouds Buddha.

King Magnificent Glory had two sons, Pure Treasury and Pure Sight, who wished to leave home and practice the Buddha’s teachings. However, their father was attached to the teachings of a Brahman and did not allow them to follow the path of the Buddha. Nevertheless, their mother, Queen Pure Virtue, suggested that they use their divine powers to purify their father’s mind. When their father witnessed the manifestation of their divine powers, he was convinced of the Buddha’s teachings and invited his sons to meet the Buddha.

The manifestation of divine powers is an expedient method used for the purpose of awakening faith and understanding toward the Buddha’s teachings. In our modern context, it is equivalent to the actual proof of the Buddhist practice. When people witness concrete evidence of tremendous benefits from the practice, they will naturally be convinced and inspired to embrace the Buddha-Law.

After the meeting with the Buddha, Wise and Royal King of Thunderous Sounds in the Clouds Buddha made a prediction that King Magnificent Glory would become a Buddha known as King of Sal Tree. King Magnificent Glory abdicated his throne to practice the Lotus Sutra and subsequently realized that his two sons and his wife were his good friends who were born to lead him in attaining Buddhahood. Shakyamuni Buddha further revealed that King Magnificent Glory is the present Bodhisattva Splendid Virtue, while his two sons are Bodhisattva Medicine King and Bodhisattva Medicine Superior.

The story of King Magnificent Glory and his family illustrates the power of the Lotus Sutra to transform lives. The Lotus Sutra emphasizes the importance of good friends as the cause and condition for attaining Buddhahood. Children, spouses, friends, and relatives are sources of great blessings, and being a good friend to others by leading them to the path of happiness through the Lotus Sutra is essential.

In conclusion, the Lotus Sutra teaches the importance of cultivating wisdom and compassion to attain enlightenment. The story of King Magnificent Glory and his family illustrates the power of the Lotus Sutra to transform lives and emphasizes the importance of good friends as a source of blessings and the cause and condition for attaining Buddhahood. By cherishing the wonderful people in our lives and leading others to the path of happiness through the Lotus Sutra, we can all aspire to attain enlightenment and benefit all beings.