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

After twenty thousand ages had passed, the Tathagata, seeing the earnest prayer of these novices, revealed a profound teaching known as ‘the Lotus of the True Law.’ This extensive text was a guide for those aspiring to become Bodhisattvas and was considered suitable for all enlightened beings. The teaching was shared with a diverse audience, reaching the hearts and minds of all who were present, marking a significant moment in their spiritual journey.

As time went on, monks, the sixteen novices diligently studied the teachings of the great Tathagata, Mahabhignagnanabhibhu (Great-Knowledge-and-Dominance) , absorbing and fully understanding them. The Lord foresaw that each of these novices would reach supreme enlightenment and shared this prediction with them.

While the Lord was imparting the profound teachings of the Lotus of the True Law, the disciples and the sixteen novices embraced it with faith. Many beings achieved unshakable certainty in their spiritual paths.

After expounding on these teachings for eight thousand ages, the Tathagata, Mahabhignagnanabhibhu (Great-Knowledge-and-Dominance) , retired to the monastery for deep meditation. He remained in this meditative state for an inconceivable period, lasting eighty-four thousand cycles of existence.

During his absence, the sixteen novices took their places on the royal thrones prepared for them. They continued to share the teachings of the Lotus of the True Law with the gathered assembly. For a vast span of time, they instructed and inspired the people, nurturing their spiritual growth.

Each of these novices, now fully developed as Bodhisattvas, guided countless beings toward enlightenment, with numbers as vast as the sands of the river Ganges. They served as spiritual guides and mentors, helping others to realize their potential for supreme enlightenment.

After eighty-four thousand eons, the great Tathagata, Mahabhignagnanabhibhu (Great-Knowledge-and-Dominance) , emerged from his deep state of meditation, fully aware and conscious. He proceeded to the seat of the law, prepared especially for him, and settled into it.

Once seated, the Lord surveyed the entire gathering and addressed the assembly of monks, praising the sixteen novices for their remarkable abilities. He commended them as wonderfully gifted, wise, and experienced, having served countless Buddhas and having received and expounded the profound knowledge of the Buddhas.

He urged the monks to honor these sixteen novices repeatedly. The Lord proclaimed that anyone who accepted and embraced the teachings of these promising young men would swiftly attain supreme enlightenment and the profound wisdom of the Tathagatas. This promise extended to all, regardless of whether they were followers of the disciples’ path, the Hermit Buddhas’ path, or the Bodhisattvas’ path.

The Lord also revealed that these young men had repeatedly shared the teachings of the Lotus of the True Law under his guidance. The innumerable beings they had awakened to enlightenment, as vast as the sands of the river Ganges, followed the example set by the sixteen novices. Many of them chose the life of wandering mendicants, just as the novices had done.

Throughout their various existences, these beings were blessed to witness the novices and hear their teachings. They venerated many Buddhas, numbering forty kotis, and some continue to do so even to this day. The influence and impact of the sixteen novices were far-reaching and enduring, spreading the light of enlightenment to countless souls.