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

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

In a land of old, there stands a house so grand,
Once sturdy, now decayed, it can’t withstand.
Its walls and terraces with age now fade,
Columns and rooftops, in ruins displayed.

Within its walls, five hundred souls reside,
In filthy cells, their abode they hide.
Excrement and filth, a nauseous scent,
In every corner, horror is present.

Vultures and owls, their nests do they weave,
While snakes and scorpions find places to cleave.
Strange creatures dwell, not of human race,
The house is a haven for evil’s embrace.

Fireflies illuminate the darkened scene,
Howls of dogs and jackals fill the ravine.
Hyenas prowl, seeking corpses to eat,
Goblins and ghosts roam, craving a treat.

Centipedes, vipers, and snakes abound,
Nests filled with broods, a gruesome surround.
In hunger, goblins clash and fight,
Their feast of flesh causes dreadful sight.

Malign urchins, agile and swift,
Torture dogs with their wicked drift.
Ghostly figures, tall and wan,
Seeking food with cries forlorn.

Their faces grotesque, their bodies gaunt,
Hungry and desperate, their souls they haunt.
Through windows and holes, they search and seek,
For food to satiate, their thirst they seek.

Such is the house, once proud and high,
Now consumed by a blazing sky.
Owned by a confident man, alas,
Returned to find the fiery mass.

In a house so old, infirm, and grand,
Cracked beams and columns, all unmanned.
Flames engulf, goblins yell and wail,
Urge vultures, urchins, to escape this tale.

The fire rages, urchins flee with parched faces,
Mischievous beasts scurry in desperate chases.
Poor devils, burnt, tear at each other’s flesh,
Hyenas feast while the excrements enmesh.

Centipedes and urchins fight a cruel strife,
Ghostly figures hover, seeking life.
Amidst a thousand flames, the man stands tall,
His children safe, saved from the fiery thrall.

The man’s voice echoes in the village square,
His children rescued, his heart relieved from care.
“My dear sons,” he says, “hear this truth I speak,
The house was dreadful, a fate you escaped.”

“You ignored my words, deluded by toys,
Yet, I saved you, my beloved girls and boys.
Now, these grand vehicles I give to you,
To play and revel, joyful and true.”

These precious carts of gold and gleaming pearls,
Adorned with flags and umbrellas, unfurls.
The man’s wealth and treasure, a mighty store,
Bestowed upon his sons, a gift of lore.

In the same way, I, the Seer and the Sage,
The protector and father in this age.
The triple world, a house of woes untold,
I seek to save, as my compassion’s threshold.

I offer three vehicles to choose,
To liberate from suffering’s abuse.
The Hermit Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas too,
Find freedom’s path, a journey they pursue.

I show the way, the ultimate ascent,
The single vehicle, the Buddhahood’s intent.
For those who seek Nirvana’s sublime delight,
Embrace this truth, a path so bright.

The Buddha’s knowledge, powers unsurpassed,
In this exalted vehicle, souls are steadfast.
Through endless days and nights, they play and roam,
In the Buddha’s wisdom, they find their home.

No other path in this world is found,
In every direction, it is renowned.
For those who seek freedom, forever true,
In this grand vehicle, they’ll find breakthrough.

My children, hear me well, I am your guide,
From pain and suffering, I’ll lead you aside.
Awakened consciousness, desires suppress,
Embrace my truths, find freedom’s caress.

Yet rest is not complete, not here and now,
But my path leads to freedom’s vow.
Through suppression, one finds release,
From chimeras, one discovers peace.

Embrace my teachings, seek the light,
Follow my path, through day and night.
For those who accept with reverence deep,
Their souls shall soar, their faith they’ll keep.

This Sutra’s wisdom may puzzle the unaware,
For higher knowledge, one must prepare.
Not for disciples or Hermit Buddhas, it’s true,
But for those with faith, the vision is due.

My teachings are not for the prideful souls,
For Yogins unrestrained, desire’s controls.
For those lost in pleasure’s endless sway,
The Buddha’s wisdom, they might push away.

So spread this truth with care and grace,
To those who seek wisdom’s embrace.
For those who scorn, in ignorance blind,
The consequences dire, they shall find.

Listen to the fate of those who dare despise,
This sacred Sutra’s wisdom, wisdom so wise.
In life or death, their scorn shall not relent,
Their deeds shall lead them to a dark torment.

In hell’s abyss, they’ll dwell a kalpa long,
Descending deeper, their souls will throng.
As brutes they’ll wander, dogs and jackals low,
Covered in sores, an aversion they’ll sow.

Blackened and spotted, they’ll suffer distress,
Despised by all, their lives a wretched mess.
Camels or asses, carrying heavy load,
Whipped and beaten, their anguish bestowed.

Ugly jackals they’ll become, half blind,
Vexed and tormented, by village boys maligned.
From place to place, in dull existence turning,
Lazy giants, bodies of a thousand furlongs churning.

No feet to walk, on bellies they’ll crawl,
Devoured by beasts, a dreadful fall.
Human form, twisted and deformed,
Blind, maimed, and low, their lives transformed.

A putrid stench from their mouths will rise,
Evil spirits haunt, no peace in their eyes.
Needy and frail, no fortune in sight,
In other’s service, a pitiful plight.

Medicaments won’t ease their pain,
Their sickness, relentless, has no gain.
Theft, assaults, and robberies they’ll commit,
Their sinful deeds, the torment they’ll get.

The Lord of the world they’ll never behold,
Living in darkness, their fate foretold.
For many aeons, they’ll suffer and moan,
Dulled and defective, their souls will groan.

In hell, they’ll wander, misery their bane,
Living with beasts, sorrow their reign.
In human form, they’ll be blind and deaf,
Servants to others, a life bereft.

Scab, itch, leprosy, ailments prevail,
Their bodies scarred, their spirits frail.
Passions unbridled, anger burns bright,
In animal wombs, they’ll take their flight.

Countless evils await the scornful soul,
For ages to come, they’ll pay the toll.
So, Sariputta, be cautious and wise,
Reveal this Sutra to the hearts that rise.

To those who’re sensible, kind, and learned,
To those who seek the supreme truth yearned.
To virtuous friends and pure souls aligned,
Reveal this Sutra, the hallowed mind.

To those who’ve kept their moral vows true,
Devoted seekers of wisdom’s view.
To the compassionate, sincere, and kind,
Let this Sutra be a guiding find.

To the faithful speaker, with heart sincere,
To seekers of truth, those who revere.
To those who hold the Sutra with care,
To all these souls, this Sutra share.

Seek not profane philosophy’s way,
Preach this Sutra, let darkness sway.
To those who cherish this Sutra’s grace,
They’ll find relics of the Tathagata’s embrace.

Avoid other teachings, embrace this one,
Its wisdom shines bright as the golden sun.
To those who seek the highest truth’s embrace,
Reveal this Sutra, their spirits to grace.

Though countless points this Sutra might span,
This message, Sariputta, is the plan.
To all who seek supreme enlightenment’s glow,
This Sutra’s wisdom, let them know.