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

Introduction

The Lotus Sutra is a central text in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, containing essential teachings that guide practitioners towards enlightenment. This essay focuses on Chapter 21, “Divine Powers of the Tathagata,” which explores the vow of bodhisattvas-mahasattvas, the manifestation of divine powers, and the significance of the Lotus Sutra in Buddhism. To better understand the chapter, this essay will be divided into subchapters, including quotes from the text to support the major ideas and elaboration on key concepts.

The Vow of Bodhisattvas-mahasattvas

The Lotus Sutra is regarded as the ultimate teaching of the Buddha and is believed to contain the path to enlightenment. The vow made by bodhisattvas-mahasattvas to uphold and propagate the Lotus Sutra emphasizes the importance of this text in the Buddhist tradition. As the sutra states,

“we will expound the Lotus Sutra broadly in the lands in which the emanations of the Bhagavat exist,”

Lotus Sutra, Chapter 21, Section 1, Paragraph 3

This highlights the central role of compassion in Buddhism and the desire to help others.

Manifestation of Divine Powers

The manifestation of divine powers by the Buddha and other Buddhas is a significant feature of this chapter. As described in the text,

“All his pores emitted immeasurable rays of light that illuminated the entire Universe everywhere in the ten directions.”

Lotus Sutra, Chapter 21, Section 1, Paragraph 2

This manifestation of divine powers serves to attest to the truth of the teachings contained within the Lotus Sutra and reinforce the belief that the teachings are rooted in the ultimate reality of the universe.

Completeness of the Teachings

The Buddha’s declaration that he has expounded all the Buddha’s teachings emphasizes the completeness of the teachings contained within the Lotus Sutra. As the sutra states,

“In essence, I have revealed and expounded all the teachings of Tathagata, all the effortless divine powers of Tathagata, all the Secret Treasuries of Tathagata, and all the profound historical events of Tathagatas in the Lotus Sutra.”

Lotus Sutra, Chapter 21, Section 1, Paragraph 6

This declaration indicates that the Lotus Sutra is the ultimate teaching of the Buddha and that all other teachings are encompassed within it, underscoring its significance within the Buddhist tradition.

Encouragement to Accept, Read, and Expound the Lotus Sutra

The encouragement by the Buddha to accept, read, and expound the Lotus Sutra highlights the importance of studying and sharing the teachings of the Buddha. As the sutra states,

“all of you shall single-mindedly practice the Law by accepting, embracing, reading, reciting, explaining, preaching, copying, and transcribing the Lotus Sutra.”

Lotus Sutra, Chapter 21, Section 1, Paragraph 8

This emphasis on sharing the sutra highlights the Mahayana ideal of helping others and working for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Poetic Stanzas in Section 2

Section 2 of Chapter 21 comprises paragraphs 1─14, where Shakyamuni Buddha speaks in poetic stanzas to summarize the chapter. The poetic nature of these stanzas serves to emphasize the central message of the chapter and reinforces its significance within the Buddhist tradition. For example, the Buddha states,

“The Buddhas, the Saviors of the Worlds,
abide in great divine powers.
For the purpose of bringing delights to living beings,
they manifest immeasurable divine powers.”

Lotus Sutra, Chapter 21, Section 2, Paragraph 1

Through these poetic stanzas, the Buddha effectively conveys the essence of the chapter, further emphasizing the importance of the Lotus Sutra and the divine powers of Tathagata in guiding practitioners towards enlightenment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Chapter 21 of the Lotus Sutra, “Divine Powers of the Tathagata,” serves to highlight the significance of the Lotus Sutra within the Buddhist tradition. The chapter emphasizes the role of compassion in Buddhism and the importance of sharing the path to enlightenment with others. The manifestation of divine powers by the Buddha serves to attest to the truth of the teachings contained within the Lotus Sutra, as illustrated by the quote:

“All his pores emitted immeasurable rays of light that illuminated the entire Universe everywhere in the ten directions.”

Lotus Sutra, Chapter 21, Section 1, Paragraph 2

The completeness of the sutra serves to underscore its significance within the Buddhist tradition, as supported by the statement,

“In essence, I have revealed and expounded all the teachings of Tathagata, all the effortless divine powers of Tathagata, all the Secret Treasuries of Tathagata, and all the profound historical events of Tathagatas in the Lotus Sutra.”

Lotus Sutra, Chapter 21, Section 1, Paragraph 6

This chapter has significant implications for Buddhism and its followers, emphasizing the importance of studying and sharing the teachings of the Buddha to benefit all sentient beings. The poetic stanzas in Section 2 reinforce the central message of the chapter and solidify the importance of the Lotus Sutra in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. For example, the Buddha’s poetic stanza,

“The Buddhas, the Saviors of the Worlds,
abide in great divine powers.
For the purpose of bringing delights to living beings,
they manifest immeasurable divine powers.”

Lotus Sutra, Chapter 21, Section 2, Paragraph 1

effectively conveys the essence of the chapter and the divine powers of Tathagata. By understanding and practicing the teachings in the Lotus Sutra, Buddhists can progress on the path to enlightenment and work towards the ultimate goal of benefiting all sentient beings.