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

Eagle Peak setting with a grand assembly. Intricate architectural details draw inspiration from ancient South Asian temples. The vast crowd consists of monks of various descent, wise beings, and celestial entities. All are focused intently towards the center where the Lord Buddha sits, exuding a sense of reverence and anticipation.

Sāriputta had expressed his thoughts, and in response, the Lord spoke firmly, “Enough, Sāriputta. It is best not to delve into this matter. Why? Because, Sāriputta, such an explanation might frighten the world, including the gods.”

Despite the Lord’s reluctance, Sāriputta persisted, urging him again, “Please, let the truth be shared, O Lord. Countless intelligent and wise beings have witnessed past Buddhas’ teachings in this assembly. They will believe, cherish, and embrace your words.”

A detailed depiction of Sāriputta with a translucent thought bubble above him. Within the bubble, faint images of past Buddhas and snippets of their teachings are visible, representing Sāriputta’s memories, reverence, and the profound significance of his request.

The venerable Sāriputta pleaded with the Lord in verse:

In this assembly, O most revered Sage!
Dwell beings wise, with hearts engaged,
A thousand souls, with faith ablaze,
Ready to heed your guiding phrase.

They trust, they love, they do respect,
Towards the Sugata, they connect,
With open minds and spirits pure,
They’ll grasp the law you now assure.

The Lord Buddha stands majestically, surrounded by a soft, ethereal halo. He raises a hand in a gesture of restraint, conveying a message of caution. His facial expression reflects deep wisdom combined with a touch of concern. Above him, ethereal figures of gods, diverse in their depictions, hover, their faces filled with anxiety as they look down upon the scene.

And the Lord again addressed venerable Sāriputta, saying, “That’s enough, dear Sāriputta. There’s no need to explain this matter, for if it were expounded, the world, including the gods, might be frightened, and some monks might become prideful, leading them to a heavy fall.”

And at that moment, the Lord spoke the following verse:

No more shall I speak of this profound law,
Too subtle, inscrutable, beyond all awe.
For unwise men, in their conceit and pride,
Would scoff and mock the truths that I provide.

A dreamy and ethereal scene where words from Sāriputta’s verse gently float in the sky, surrounded by soft clouds. Symbolic illustrations accompany the words: a blazing heart symbolizing passion and faith, souls connected by a delicate golden thread representing unity and shared beliefs, and hands of diverse descent reaching out, longing to connect with the Lord Buddha’s luminous presence.

The venerable Sāriputta implored the Lord a third time, saying, “Let the Lord expound; let the Sugata expound this matter. In this assembly, O Lord, there are many living beings, some my equals and many more who, in former births, have been brought by the Lord to full ripeness. They will believe, value, and accept what the Lord declares, leading to their advantage, well-being, and happiness in the long run.”On that occasion, the venerable Sāriputta spoke the following words:

Drawing inspiration from the ‘Sāriputta’s Expression’ illustration, depict the aged South Asian Sāriputta centrally, with hands clasped in deep prayer and eyes filled with emotion. Surrounding him, members of the assembly of diverse descent and gender watch with hope and anticipation. In the ethereal backdrop, silhouettes of past Buddhas subtly emerge, symbolizing their teachings and the enduring lineage of wisdom.

“Explain the law,” thine eldest son implores,
O thou most high of men, whose wisdom soars.
Thousands of beings, gathered here with care,
Long to believe the truths that you declare.

In former lives, by thee, they were refined,
Now, with joined hands, they seek the law defined.
Those striving for enlightenment, they stand,
To hear thy words, O Sage, so wise and grand.

Speak to the twelve hundred, equals they,
And those who yearn for truth, in your array.
Produce in them an ecstasy untold,
With joy and wisdom, let their hearts enfold.

A celestial backdrop filled with twinkling stars, mesmerizing galaxies, and ethereal hues, symbolizing the vastness of the universe and the profound teachings of the Buddha. Amidst this backdrop, golden beams of light emerge, representing Sāriputta’s words in verse. These radiant beams touch and illuminate various beings in the assembly, diverse in descent and gender, highlighting the impact and significance of his poetic plea.