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

After offering their praises and celestial vehicles, the great Brahma angels, monks, stood before the Lord Mahabhignagnanabhibhu (Great-Knowledge-and-Dominance) , the Tathagata, with a heartfelt plea. Their voices rang out with a deep longing: “May the Lord set in motion the wheel of the law! May the Lord preach final rest! May the Lord release all beings! Be favorable to this world, O Lord! Preach the law to all, including gods, Māras, and Brahma angels; to all people, ascetics, Brahmans, gods, men, and demons! Let your teachings spread for the benefit, happiness, and well-being of all beings, both gods and men. Show mercy to the world, O Lord.”

Their voices united in a common chorus, the fifty hundred thousand myriads of kotis of Brahma angels addressed the Lord with a single, resonant verse.

Show the law, O Lord, most high of men,
Reveal thy kindness’s power again,
Save tormented beings from despair,
With wisdom’s touch and tender care.

Rare as the bloom of the fig tree’s embrace,
Light of the world, in this vast cosmic space,
Great Hero arisen, Tathagata divine,
To thee we pray, let thy wisdom shine.

Monks, the Lord silently communicated his assent to the Brahma angels, acknowledging their plea and devotion.

Somewhat later, a new phenomenon occurred. In the south-eastern quarter of the universe, the aerial vehicles of the Brahma angels in the vast realms of fifty hundred thousand myriads of spheres began to glitter, glow, and sparkle with an extraordinary splendor and glory. The brilliance was unlike anything they had seen before.

The Brahma angels pondered this new sign, wondering, “What could be the meaning of our aerial cars glittering, glowing, and sparkling with such intensity?”

They went to one another’s abodes, sharing the mysterious event, seeking understanding. The great Brahma-angel named Adhimatrakarunika, “Exceedingly Compassionate,” then addressed the numerous host of Brahma angels. He began to speak in verses, seeking to interpret the sign and shed light on its cosmic significance.

What foretoken do we witness now, dear friends?
Celestial cars ablaze, what message do they send?
Uncommon glory shines; what does it portend?
Who or what beckons with a light that won’t descend?

Perhaps some blessed being, divine and true,
Has come this way, and by power known to few,
Illumines our aerial cars with a brilliant hue,
A spectacle so grand, so rare, so new.

Or could it be the Buddha, man most high,
Appeared in this world, beneath this cosmic sky?
By his power, these celestial cars do magnify,
A condition, a sight that catches every eye.

Let’s search together; no trifle causes this,
A foretoken so grand, never seen in cosmic bliss.
Let’s journey and explore what we cannot dismiss,
Such a sign, so profound, leads us not amiss.

Come, let’s visit lands, kotis wide and vast,
Along the four quarters, let’s make our path fast,
A Buddha surely now has appeared at last,
In this world, his wisdom to share and broadcast.