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

Monks, after offering their heartfelt praises to the Lord Mahabhignagnanabhibhu (Great-Knowledge-and-Dominance) , the Tathagata, with verses full of reverence and devotion, the great Brahma angels made their earnest plea once more. They implored the Lord, saying:

“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.”

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

Move forward the exalted wheel, O great sage so divine,
Reveal the law in all directions, let its wisdom brightly shine,
Deliver all from suffering’s grasp, let gladness be their sign,
Produce in mortals joy and peace, with enlightenment align.

By hearing the law, let beings partake of truth’s embrace,
Reach divine places, shake off shadows, find their sacred space,
Cast aside their demon body, find peace in gentle grace,
Let them be meek, at ease, and calm, in life’s eternal chase.

Monks, the Lord silently intimated his assent to these Brahma angels as well, acknowledging their earnest plea and reverent praises.

Somewhat later, monks, the aerial cars of the Brahma angels in the southern quarter began to glitter, glow, and sparkle in splendor and glory, just as they had in the other quarters. The Brahma angels there were filled with awe and wonder, reflecting on the significance of this extraordinary phenomenon.

They went to each other’s abodes, communicating their observations and speculations, trying to understand the cosmic meaning of what they were witnessing.

After that, monks, the great Brahma angel, named Sudharma (the meaning of this name could be interpreted as “Good Dharma” or “Righteous Law”), took it upon himself to address the numerous host of Brahma angels. He spoke to them in verse, seeking to articulate their shared wonderment and to call them to action.

No causeless wonder this can be, dear friends, that gleams so bright,
These celestial cars ablaze with light foretell a wondrous sight,
A portent somewhere in the world stirs hearts and minds this night,
Come, let us go, investigate, and seek the source of light.

In hundreds of eons past, no sign like this did ever gleam,
A god’s birth or Buddha’s rise, perhaps, has woken from the dream,
A beacon in this worldly realm, a radiant, guiding beam,
Let’s seek the source, embrace the path, and follow wisdom’s stream.

^⁠