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

“To further clarify this matter, the Enlightened One shared the following verses:”

“Born from a passion for sacred truth,
I break the bounded loop,
to all I teach, discerning well,
their hearts where different dispositions dwell.

The wise protect these words divine,
guard the mystery, keep it in line,
revealing not to those alive,
the understanding they might derive.

This knowledge isn’t easy to be found,
the simple, if they hear the sound,
might lose their way, from the path stray,
in ignorance, they’d fall away.

I speak to reach them where they are,
adapt my view, near and far.
Their reach, their knack, I gauge with care,
meeting them on their stage, fair and square.

Imagine, Kassapa, a cloud that rises,
shrouding earth in shroud,
across the horizon it unfurls,
darkening the sky as it twirls.

That cloud, heavy with rain’s embrace,
lightning wreathing its broad face,
with thunderous call, it wakes creation,
in every creature, a sensation.

It shields the earth from the sun’s glare,
cools the air with gentle care,
lowering until it’s near at hand,
showers water across the land.

Flashing here, there, everywhere,
it pours out water, fair and square,
abundantly it showers its gift,
the parched earth to uplift.

All herbs that from the earth arise,
all grasses, shrubs, beneath the skies,
the forest trees, both short and tall,
other trees, they receive it all.

The varied fruits in fields sown,
the greenery that’s fully grown,
plants on hills, in caves unseen,
in thickets, cloaked in verdant green.

These grasses, shrubs, and trees,
brought to life by the cloud’s decree,
it refreshes the thirsty earth below,
watering the herbs that grow.

Grasses, shrubs, they soak up rain,
each in its domain,
and all the trees, both great and small,
they drink the water, growing tall.

Great plants with trunk and twig,
moistened by rain, they grow big.
Blossoms bloom, fruits take their place,
each showing its nature, its unique grace.

Though from one cloud the rains are released,
each plant partakes in its own feast.
So too, Kassapa, the Buddha does come,
like a rain-cloud, his teachings hum.

World’s Lord, once born, reveals the true way,
guiding all beings, come what may.
The Great Seer, revered high and low,
declares: ‘I’m the Tathagata, this you should know.

I’ve appeared in this world, like a cloud so vast,
to refresh all beings, from first to last.
Toiling souls, with burdens so grand,
I offer them rest, a gentle hand.

Listen close, gods and men alike,
approach, behold, and take up the mike.
I am the Tathagata, the supreme guide,
in this world, I reside, with nothing to hide.

To countless beings, I show the pure path,
leading to peace, away from wrath.
With one voice, unwavering and clear,
enlightenment’s the message, all should hear.

Equal for all, no bias I show,
no love or hate, just the Dharma’s glow.
I stand firm, with no favor to send,
love or hate, they don’t bend or blend.

To all creatures, the law I narrate,
no distinctions, no small or great.
Whether walking, standing, or sitting,
I am occupied with this task fitting.

I never tire of the chair I’ve taken,
the world like a cloud, by the law, it’s awakened.
I have the same feelings for all, high or low,
moral or immoral, friend or foe.

I preach the law, pure and bright,
leading all beings to the light.
All beings, each according to their knack,
find their place, there’s no lack.

Hear now, I explain the plan,
how the plants represent each clan.
Small plants, the men of knowledge who are free,
six transcendent faculties, they see.

Mean plants, the ones who covet the Buddha’s state,
living in mountain caves, they meditate.
Those who aspire to lead,
thinking ‘I’ll become a Buddha, a guide indeed.’

They practice exertion and meditation,
they continue growing, that’s their dedication.
But the sons of Sugata, who practice peace and care,
they are the trees growing there.

Those who move forward the wheel of Dharma,
standing firm in their karma.
Releasing beings, with manly strength,
they are the great trees, growing at length.

Yet it is one and the same law,
preached by the Jina, without flaw.
Different are the faculties,
just as the plants on earth’s vast prairies.

By this parable, you may understand,
the skillfulness of the Tathagata’s hand.
One law he preaches, like raindrops falling,
to each according to their calling.

Even as all plants, when refreshed, expand their blossoms,
so too the world, when refreshed, does soften.
The law promotes the everlasting weal,
recreating the world with zeal.

The plants that remain middle-sized,
are the Arhats, they’re recognized.
The Hermit Buddhas who, in woody thickets,
accomplish the well-spoken tickets.

Those who strive for supreme enlightenment,
they continue growing, without resentment.
Endowed with magical powers, delighting in voidness,
they emit rays, showing their boldness.

They are called the great trees on earth,
spreading the law with mirth.
So then, Kassapa, is the preaching of the law,
like the water poured out by the cloud without a flaw.

By which plants and men thrive,
endless blossoms arrive.
I reveal the law which has its cause in itself,
at due time I show Buddha-enlightenment, that’s the wealth.

What I say is true in the highest sense,
all my disciples attain Nirvana, there’s no pretense.
By following the sublime path of enlightenment,
all my disciples shall become Buddhas, that’s the commitment.”