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

Sariputta’s Realization and Elation:

A serene forest with ancient trees and sunlight filtering through leaves. A stream flows, reflecting the sky. Sariputta, an Asian monk in traditional robes, stands with a radiant face, hands clasped. Ghostly memories of him in contemplation appear around. Above, shimmering golden words form his verse. In the background, a glowing silhouette of the Buddha emanates a warm light.

The venerable Sariputta, filled with delight and joy, expressed his amazement and gratitude to the Lord. He recalled feeling sorrowful and vexed before hearing that Bodhisattvas would attain Buddhahood in the future while he and others had only been taught the inferior vehicle.

During his solitary moments in nature, Sariputta pondered on this thought repeatedly. He acknowledged that the fault was his for not fully comprehending the profound teachings of the Lord on supreme enlightenment when he was first given. Instead, he hastily grasped the initial lessons of the law without grasping its deeper meaning.

The Solitude of Sariputta:

Tranquil mountainous landscape with waterfalls, birds, and blossoming trees at dawn. Sariputta sits cross-legged on a rock, deep in thought with a sorrowful expression. Ethereal images of Bodhisattvas with symbolic objects float around him.

But today, everything changed. Sariputta realized his self-blame was unnecessary. He had attained complete understanding and tranquility. He had reached Arhatship and became the Lord’s eldest son, born from the law and accomplished by it. The torment of doubt was gone now that he had heard the wondrous law previously unknown to him, spoken by the Lord himself.

And on that occasion, the venerable Sariputta addressed the Lord with the following verse:

With astonishment and joy, I hear this call divine,
No doubts remain, I’m ready for the superior line.
In wood and cave, on mountain trails, I once did roam,
Lost in thoughts of how I missed the wondrous Buddha knowledge’s home.

The thirty-two marks, and the gold skin, all seemed to fade,
The powers and freedoms lost, my heart in sorrow swayed.
But then I saw thee, gracious Buddha, kind and wise,
Lonely in my thoughts, I asked, have I lost my prize?

Days and nights, in contemplation, I did dwell,
Seeing Bodhisattvas praised, my heart would swell.
This wondrous law, so subtle, hard to comprehend,
Announced by Jinas on enlightenment’s ascent.

I once embraced false doctrines, my mind astray,
But Buddha’s wisdom showed the truth’s pure ray.
No longer feared I Mara’s cunning disguise,
For myriad reasons and proofs removed all lies.

The Gathering of the Multitude:

Vast gathering ground with diverse beings—humans, gods, Maras, Brahmas, ascetics, Brahmans. Center, Lord Buddha on a raised platform, teaching. Sariputta stands confidently at the forefront.

Kotis of past Buddhas who now rest,
Established this law, supreme and blessed.
Future Buddhas, too, this truth shall proclaim,
With skillful means, they’ll spread the Buddha’s name.

Your journey from home, the wheel of law,
The moment of doubt, then firmness I saw.
Your voice so sweet, dispelling all my dread,
I know now, no Mâras can deceive in this thread.

Undoubtedly, I’ll be a Tathâgata revered,
In worlds divine, my wisdom will be revered.
I’ll rouse Bodhisattvas, mysteries unfold,
Becoming a Buddha, my destiny foretold.

After Sariputta spoke, the Lord addressed him and the gathered multitude, including gods, Maras, Brahmas, ascetics, and Brahmans. He declared that Sariputta had been prepared for supreme enlightenment by the counsel and decree of the Bodhisattva, after following the Lord’s commandments for a long time. Due to the mighty will of the Bodhisattva, Sariputta had no recollection of his former vow to follow the religious path. The Lord wished to revive this knowledge and announced that he would reveal the Dharma discourse called ‘the Lotus of the True Law’ to his disciples.

The Lord continued, foreseeing the distant future for Sariputta. After countless eons of learning from myriad Tathagatas and practicing devotedly as a Bodhisattva, he would become a Tathagata named Padmaprabha (Radiant Lotus). In his Buddha-land, known as Viraga (The Land of Non-Attachment), the landscape would be magnificent, adorned with lapis lazuli, and each compartment would hold a jewel tree always in bloom with precious blossoms and fruits.

The Prophecy of Sariputta’s Future:

Ethereal realm representing Buddha-land of Padmaprabha. Vibrant landscape with a lapis lazuli palace, surrounded by jewel trees with precious blossoms and fruits. Diverse Bodhisattvas walk on jewel lotuses holding scriptures. Center, Padmaprabha sits on a lotus throne with a glowing aura. Above, translucent verses detail Sariputta’s future. Distance, silhouette of ‘The Lotus-Bearing One with Majestic Steps’.

Padmaprabha (Radiant Lotus), the Tathagata, would preach the law through three vehicles, and he would not appear during the decline of the Æon, but under his vow. His Æon would be named Maharatnapratimandita (Adorned with Magnificent Jewels), signifying the abundance of Bodhisattvas (ratnas or jewels) present in his Buddha-land, beyond computation or enumeration.

The Bodhisattvas would walk on jewel lotuses in this realm, accumulating vast goodness and diligently pursuing Buddha knowledge under numerous Buddhas. They would be praised for their zeal in understanding the true laws and be mild and thoughtful in their conduct.

The Prophecy of Padmaprabha’s Buddha-land:

A heavenly city gleaming with the luster of countless gems and minerals, capturing the essence of Padmaprabha’s Buddha-land. Encircling the city are luminous waters, and the landscape is adorned with trees that shine like jewels. Bodhisattvas of different genders and descents gracefully tread on pathways that resemble lotuses made of priceless gems. They converse with one another, meditate in solitude, or share teachings. The city’s highest point features a splendid palace, representing Padmaprabha’s dwelling. Inside, a grand lotus throne stands, prepared for the upcoming Buddha.

The lifetime of Padmaprabha (Radiant Lotus) would last twelve intermediate kalpas, excluding his time as a young prince, and the beings living during this period would live for eight intermediate kalpas. After the twelve kalpas, Radiant Lotus would enter complete Nirvana, announcing the future destiny of a Bodhisattva named Full of Endurance, who would follow him to supreme enlightenment.

Full of Endurance would become a Tathagata named The Lotus-Bearing One with Majestic Steps, and his Buddha-land would be similar. The true law of The Lotus-Bearing One with Majestic Steps would last for thirty-two intermediate kalpas after his extinction, and a counterfeit of his true law would persist for the same duration.

Then, the Lord uttered the following verses:

In ages yet to come, O Sari’s son,
A Buddha great, Radiant Lotus by name,
With boundless vision, wisdom never won,
Shall guide and teach, to him be known your fame.

An epoch grand, where jewels brightly gleam,
A field called Viraga, pure and fair,
With lapis lazuli, a radiant dream,
And golden threads that weave a scene so rare.

Bodhisattvas with memories strong and clear,
Taught ‘neath a hundred Buddhas in their prime,
In this realm shall appear without a fear,
Guiding seekers through wisdom’s sacred climb.

As prince, this Buddha-to-be will reside,
Then forsake worldly pleasures, seek the light,
Attaining supreme wisdom, purified,
The final birth before celestial flight.

Twelve kalpas, this great Buddha’s life will span,
And mortals’ years will last eight kalpas through,
For thirty-two, the true Dharma shall stand,
Enlightening all, the world to renew.

Afterward, a counterfeit will unfold,
Thirty-two kalpas, shadow in its wake,
Yet relics cherished, faithful hearts uphold,
In men and gods, devotion it will wake.

Rejoice, O son of Sari, for it’s true,
The most excellent man, you shall become,
As Buddha’s light shines bright and breaks through,
In you, the boundless wisdom shall be won.

The Continuation of the Buddha Lineage:

An otherworldly cosmic sky filled with brilliant stars, mesmerizing galaxies, and radiant lights. A succession of Buddhas, each illuminated in a distinct color, graces the celestial canvas, representing the Buddha lineage’s timeless journey. Their arrangement in a flowing sequence signifies the teachings’ evolution and passage through time. At the end of this sequence, a distinguished Buddha tenderly holds a glowing lotus, alluding to ‘The Lotus-Bearing One with Majestic Steps’ and the prophecy of the teachings’ everlasting legacy.