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

Oh World-Honored One,
It’s hard for people to believe,
As difficult as a black-haired man,
Pointing to elders as his sons conceived.

Or as old men pointing to a youth,
Claiming him as their father with truth.
You, young in enlightenment, are alike,
But for Bodhisattvas, it’s a different hike.

For countless kalpas they toiled away,
In samadhis, supernatural powers at play.
Practicing brahma for long, they learned,
Good teachings, questions they answered with yearn.

They’re treasures, rare gems, in the world of men,
Today you say you led them to the Way, Amen.
After attaining enlightenment of Buddha, you taught,
And caused them to aspire, their enlightenment sought.

Inspired by the Lotus Sutra,
Emerging from the Earth,
Chapter 15: 3.5

Introduction:

Welcome to our exploration of the Lotus Sutra, a revered Buddhist scripture that holds the key to understanding the nature of the Buddha and the path to enlightenment. In this blog, we delve into the depths of Chapter 15, “Emerging from the Earth,” an extraordinary section filled with profound wisdom and essential teachings about the Buddha’s eternal nature, the virtues of a Buddha, and the attainment of Buddhahood. As we embark on this spiritual journey, we will uncover the significance of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, their emergence, and their role in propagating the Buddha’s teachings.

Chapter 15 serves as a powerful reminder of the universality and timeless nature of the Buddha’s teachings. By examining the chapter’s key messages, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of the Buddha’s profound wisdom and its relevance to our lives today. Join us as we delve into the mysteries of the Lotus Sutra and explore how Chapter 15 can inspire us to embrace the path of enlightenment, transforming our lives and the world around us.

Section 1:

The key messages of Section 1 are profound and reveal important insights into the nature of the Buddha. The Buddha’s silence in response to the request of the Bodhisattvas-mahasattvas signifies that the Buddha’s teachings cannot be spread by anyone other than himself. As the Lotus Sutra states,

“At that time the World-Honored One, knowing what the bodhisattvas-mahasattvas were thinking, said to them: ‘Enough, good men! There is no need for you to protect and uphold this sutra’”

Lotus Sutra, Chapter 15

The emergence of the bodhisattvas from the earth signifies the boundless compassion of the Buddha, who can transform living beings and guide them toward enlightenment. The four Bodhisattvas of the Earth represent the virtues of a Buddha, which are essential qualities for attaining Buddhahood.

Section 2:

Section 2 of Chapter 15 reveals how Shakyamuni Buddha transformed millions and billions of living beings dwelling beneath the Saha world. These beings had been practicing the Buddha wisdom for innumerable kalpas and were sure to attain Buddhahood. This section indirectly reveals the Buddha’s eternal lifespan through his attainment of Buddhahood in the remote past. As the Lotus Sutra states,

“Good men, the number of living beings that I have caused to pass completely through the immeasurable hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, millions of nayutas of kalpas and caused to attain highest, complete enlightenment is incalculable”

Lotus Sutra, Chapter 15

The key messages of Section 2 are equally profound and offer essential insights into the nature of the Buddha. The Buddha’s transformation of living beings dwelling beneath the Saha world signifies his boundless compassion and power to guide all living beings toward enlightenment. The revelation of the Buddha’s eternal lifespan implies that the Buddha is not limited by time and space and has the power to guide living beings across infinite lifetimes.

Section 3:

Section 3 of Chapter 15 recounts how Bodhisattva Maitreya and the assembly of bodhisattvas were confounded by the Buddha’s ability to transform billions of bodhisattvas since his attainment of Buddhahood forty years ago near the city of Gaya. The Buddha illustrated the paradox by using the example of the white-hair centenarian and the young man claiming to be his son, which was difficult for Bodhisattva Maitreya to understand. The Buddha subsequently explained further in poetic stanzas, saying,

“Just as the centenarian had a hundred years, but the young man had only ten days, the time I have spent in the Buddha way is also like this. It is immeasurable asamkhya kalpas”

Lotus Sutra, Chapter 15

Section 3’s key messages offer essential insights into the Buddha’s teachings on the nature of reality. The paradox of the white-haired centenarian and the young man indicates that appearances can be deceiving, and the true nature of things is often hidden. The Buddha’s poetic stanzas suggest that a deeper understanding of his teachings is necessary to comprehend the true nature of reality.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Chapter 15, “Emerging from the Earth,” of the Lotus Sutra, offers profound insights into the nature of the Buddha, the attainment of Buddhahood, and the nature of reality. The teachings of the Lotus Sutra are timeless and continue to inspire millions worldwide to follow the path of enlightenment. The key messages of each section in Chapter 15, supported by direct quotations from the sutra, provide a deeper understanding of the Buddha’s teachings and reveal important insights into the nature of reality. From the emergence of the bodhisattvas of the earth to the revelation of the Buddha’s eternal soul and the paradoxes of existence, the Lotus Sutra offers a path toward enlightenment that transcends time and space. The key messages of the Lotus Sutra, as found in Chapter 15, inspire us to seek the wisdom of the Buddha and to follow the path toward enlightenment. By embracing the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, we can transform our lives and the world around us and attain the ultimate goal of Buddhahood.