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

Then the Enlightened One turned to the respected Mahakassapa and the other senior disciples and said: “Kassapa, your declaration of the Tathagata’s true qualities is admirable. Indeed, these are the real qualities of the Tathagata. Yet, there are many more qualities of the Tathagata, too numerous and vast to count. Even if one were to spend immeasurable eons attempting to list them all, the task would be unending.

The Tathagata, Kassapa, is the master and sovereign of the Dharma, the ruler of all its laws. And every law that the Tathagata has established remains immutable. The Tathagata, with his wisdom, has skillfully put in place all laws, and they ultimately guide beings to the stage of omniscience.

The Tathagata fully understands the significance of all laws. The Tathagata, the Worthy One, has the ability to comprehend all laws, possessing supreme knowledge that allows him to adjudicate all laws. He can demonstrate, teach, and codify the knowledge of the omniscient.”

“Consider this, Kassapa: Just as a massive cloud, filled with rain, appears in the immense universe. It casts its shadow over all kinds of grass, shrubs, herbs, and trees, each of varying species and types. These plants bear different names and grow on the earth, on hills, or within mountain caves. This cloud covers the entire universe, raining down its water equally everywhere.

Then, Kassapa, the grasses, shrubs, herbs, and wild trees of this universe – some with young and tender stalks, twigs, leaves, and foliage; some middle-sized; others fully developed – all these plants, both small and large, will each, according to their own capacity and strength, absorb the moisture from the rainwater released by that great cloud.

This water, uniform in nature, generously dispersed by the cloud, provides each plant, according to its seed, with the opportunity for regular development, growth, sprouting, and expansion. Thus, they produce flowers and fruits, and each is given its unique name. All these diverse plants and seeds, though rooted in the same soil, are nourished and brought to life by the same water, equally nurturing all life throughout.”

“In a similar way, Kassapa, the Tathagata, the Worthy One, arises in this world. Like a massive cloud appearing in the sky, the Tathagata arrives and announces his presence to all beings, including gods, humans, and spirits. Just as a great cloud extends over the entire universe, so too does the Tathagata stand before all beings – gods, humans, and spirits – and proclaims: ‘I am the Tathagata, O gods and humans, the Worthy One, the fully awakened one. Having reached enlightenment myself, I guide others to enlightenment. Being liberated, I liberate others. Comforted, I comfort others. At peace, I lead others to peace. With my complete understanding, I know this world and the next as they truly are. I see all, I know all. Come to me, gods and humans. Listen to the Dharma. I am the one who knows the path, who shows the path.’

Then, Kassapa, countless beings come to hear the teachings of the Tathagata. The Tathagata, understanding the varying capacities and energies of these beings, presents diverse Dharma teachings, sharing many captivating and pleasant stories that are both educational and enjoyable. Through these stories, beings not only find joy in the Dharma in this life but will also find themselves in blissful states after death, where they can experience many delights and continue to hear the Dharma. By listening to the Dharma, they will overcome obstacles and apply themselves to the teachings of the omniscient, according to their capacity, power, and strength.”

“Just as a great cloud, Kassapa, extends over the entire universe and showers the same rain, nourishing all types of grass, shrubs, herbs, and trees, and just as these plants, according to their capacity, power, and strength, absorb the water and thereby achieve their full potential; similarly, Kassapa, the Dharma taught by the Tathagata, the Worthy One, is of one essence – deliverance. Its ultimate goal is the cessation of desire, extinction, and the realization of omniscience.

Regarding this, Kassapa, it must be understood that the beings who hear the Dharma as taught by the Tathagata, who remember it and apply it, do not fully know, perceive, or understand their own selves. Only the Tathagata truly knows who these beings are, how and what they are contemplating, and how and why they are achieving enlightenment.

No one but the Tathagata, Kassapa, sees everything directly and understands the varying stages of these beings, just as one perceives the different stages of grass, shrubs, herbs, and trees. I am the one, Kassapa, who, understanding the Dharma, which is of one essence – deliverance, always peaceful, leading to Nirvana, eternal rest, unified and rooted in emptiness – does not immediately reveal to all the knowledge of the omniscient, as I consider the varying dispositions of all beings.”

“Kassapa, it’s no surprise that you find the teachings of the Tathagata elusive. Indeed, the profound wisdom shared by the Tathagatas, the Worthy Ones, is challenging to comprehend.”