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

In Treasure Pagoda dwells Tathagata’s whole,
In Pristine Treasures, Buddha once extolled
His great vow as a bodhisattva, behold He said,
“My memorial pagoda shall unfold

If I attain Buddhahood, and pass on
Whenever the Lotus Sutra is expounded upon
My pagoda will emerge to hear the song
And bear testimony, extol it all along

In countless worlds and across the ten directions
My pagoda shall appear with great affection
To listen to the sutra, a marvelous collection
And say, “Excellent!” with utmost conviction.”

Inspired by the Lotus Sutra,
Sighting of the Treasure Pagoda,
Chapter 11:2.2

Chapter 11 of the Lotus Sutra, The Treasure Tower, is a pivotal chapter that emphasizes the importance of spreading the Dharma and making a great vow to propagate the Lotus Sutra in the face of evil.

The chapter begins with the emergence of the Treasure Pagoda in front of Shakyamuni Buddha. Bodhisattva Great Joy of Preaching, who embodies the bodhisattva ideal of spreading the Dharma to others, wants to understand the significance of the Treasure Pagoda’s appearance and asks the Buddha to explain and identify the person whose voice has issued from the pagoda.

Believers associate the body of Abundant Treasures Buddha with the Treasure Pagoda found in Chapter 11 of the Lotus Sutra. The Buddha lands in Buddhist teachings serve as pure realms where a Buddha resides. People often view them as serene and joyful places where they can cultivate the Buddha’s qualities in themselves. Practicing the Dharma and nurturing wisdom, compassion, and other virtues can lead to rebirth in a Buddha land. The Buddha lands highlight the potential for personal enlightenment and freedom from suffering.

Shakyamuni Buddha emits a ray of light between his eyebrows, gathering his emanated bodies from around the universe and purifying the Buddha lands to view the body of Abundant Treasures Buddha. Once all the emanated Buddhas have gathered, they open the Treasure Pagoda, revealing Abundant Treasures Buddha seated on a lion throne. Attendees lift into midair to view the body of Abundant Treasures Buddha, and Shakyamuni Buddha is invited to share half the seat.

Shakyamuni Buddha declares in Chapter 11 of the Lotus Sutra that he will soon enter parinirvana, representing the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice and complete liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Buddhists believe that all sentient beings are caught in the process of samsara, which involves the constant cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Buddhist practice aims to attain liberation from this cycle and achieve enlightenment or nirvana. Parinirvana is the final stage of this process, where an enlightened being is released from the cycle of rebirth and attains complete and final liberation.

Dharma, on the other hand, refers to the teachings and principles of Buddhism that guide individuals on the path toward enlightenment. These teachings include the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, the Three Universal Truths, and other essential concepts. The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice is to achieve nirvana, representing complete liberation from the cycle of birth and death and total and permanent enlightenment. Nirvana involves the cessation of craving and attachment, the eradication of ignorance, and the realization of the true nature of reality. Therefore, Dharma and nirvana are crucial in Buddhist teachings and the ultimate goal of every Buddhist practitioner.

In Chapter 11 of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha encourages his followers to make a strong and sincere vow to protect and spread the teachings of Buddhism. This message is relevant to anyone who aspires to live a meaningful life and positively impact the world. A vow is a solemn promise or commitment to a particular goal or ideal, and it can serve as a powerful motivator for personal growth and positive change. In the Buddhist tradition, vows are seen as a way to cultivate virtues like compassion, wisdom, and generosity and to overcome obstacles and challenges in one’s spiritual journey. The story of Purna, a disciple of the Buddha, demonstrates the transformative power of vows. Through his unwavering commitment to the teachings, Purna was able to overcome his limitations and help others along the path to enlightenment. The message of Chapter 11 is that a strong and sincere vow to protect and spread the Lotus Sutra can help us overcome our obstacles and effectively share the teachings with others.

In Chapter 11 of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha summarizes the appearance of the Treasure Pagoda in poetic stanzas. Poetic language is significant because it conveys a deeper understanding of the teachings beyond mere words. Poetic language can evoke emotions, images, and sensations that help to convey the true nature of reality, which is beyond common conceptual understanding. Therefore, the poetic stanzas used by the Buddha in Chapter 11 are a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing and spreading the Lotus Sutra, even in the face of evil, and emphasize the timeless nature of the teachings.

In conclusion, Chapter 11 of the Lotus Sutra highlights the importance of making a great vow to propagate the Lotus Sutra in the face of evil. The appearance of the Treasure Pagoda and the body of Abundant Treasures Buddha are reminders of the existence of the Buddha lands and the potential for enlightenment within oneself. Shakyamuni Buddha’s impending parinirvana emphasizes the importance of practicing the Dharma and making a great vow to propagate the Lotus Sutra even after his passing.