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

Upon hearing the Lord’s display of wisdom and his mysterious instruction about the future destinies of the great Disciples, Purna, son of Maitrayani, felt wonder and awe. He was thrilled, filled with pure-hearted delight and joy. Rising from his seat, he prostrated himself before the Lord’s feet and reflected on the remarkable teachings he had received.

He marveled at how the Tathagatas (enlightened beings) skillfully conformed to this multifaceted world and preached the law with grace and wisdom. Purna knew that only the Tathagata understood his ancient path and inclinations. After paying his respects, he stood aside, his eyes fixed on the Lord, showing his deep reverence.

The Lord, recognizing Purna’s mental disposition, addressed the assembly of monks. He praised Purna for his many virtues and his diligent study of the true law. Purna’s unwearied preaching had excited and inspired countless beings, and he was second only to the Tathagata in his abilities. He was not just a keeper of the Lord’s true law but a master who had served under ninety-nine Buddhas in the past, guiding innumerable beings toward enlightenment.

Purna had assisted beings in the function of a Buddha in all periods, purifying his own Buddha-land and striving to bring creatures to maturity. He had been foremost among the law preachers under seven Tathagatas, including Vipasyin and the Lord himself.

The Lord also revealed that Purna would continue to be the foremost preacher under future Buddhas in this fortunate age, promoting enlightenment and purity. After countless eons, he would attain supreme enlightenment as the Tathagata named Dharmaprabhasa (Radiance of the Dharma), an Arhat (worthy one), and a Sugata (well-gone one), appearing in this very land.

The Buddha-land at that time would be breathtaking, filled with divine beauty and without any suffering. Beings would live spiritually, possessing ideal, gold-colored bodies, and adorned with the great man’s thirty-two characteristics. They would feed upon the delight in the law and meditation, surrounded by innumerable Bodhisattvas, endowed with transcendent wisdom and capable of instructing creatures.

This land would be full of disciples, mighty in magic and powerful in meditation. Its excellent qualities would be immense, and the era would be known as Ratnavabhasa (radiant with gems), the world as Suvisuddha (very pure). The lifetime of that Lord Dharmaprabhasa would be vast, and after his extinction, his true law would endure. The world would be filled with Stupas made of precious substances, reflecting the inconceivable good qualities of the Buddha-land.

The Lord concluded with an eloquent series of verses encapsulating the profound wisdom he had imparted.

Listen, O monks, heed my word,

My son’s journey, enlightenment’s accord,

Skilled and trained, a path so bright,

He achieved his duty, reached great height.

Viewing beings low, startled at the high,

Bodhisattvas take a step, reaching for the sky,

They become disciples, exercise a learned grip,

Leading others on, towards enlightenment’s ship.

With hundreds of skills, they ripen many a soul,

Saying, “We’re disciples, from the supreme goal,”

Teaching in simplicity, not high nor remote,

They guide the path that Buddhas denote.

In time, those lazy and low find their way,

Kotis of beings, Buddhas one day,

Ignorance cleared, despair turned to win,

They rise above, their enlightened kin.

In their own persons, they’re not free,

From hate, affection, and infatuation’s plea,

They go so far to teach, to lead,

To clear their land, and sow a seed.

My numerous disciples, they save with care,

Complexities concealed, a burden too rare,

The full course of life, hidden from mad,

Only what’s needed, the teachings clad.

Purna, here, once walked with grace,

Under Buddhas, in a timeless space,

Knowledge sought and true law found,

His voice a brilliant, learned sound.

Always foremost, ready and bright,

Gladness stirred and Buddha’s light,

Transcendent faculties, Arhat’s mark,

The pure law preached, a spiritual spark.

By the most eminent of laws, he ripened beings,

Supreme vehicle reached, and his land gleaming,

Future honors paid, knowledge acquired,

His own land cleaned, his soul inspired.

Timid not, with able devices vast,

Many beings led, imperfections passed,

Homage paid, a Buddha renowned,

Dharmaprabhasa, his name unbound.

His land pure, with treasures adorned,

Radiance of Jewels, an eon born,

Very Pure, the world he’ll bless,

Magical Bodhisattvas, in pureness dressed.

Thousands of disciples, magical, wise,

Meditating freedoms, under his skies,

Gold-colored beings, signs all divine,

Spiritual life led, a harmonious line.

Food but pleasure, in law and delight,

No fear or punishments, just knowledge’s sight,

Such shall be Purna’s land so fine,

Qualities abound, a glimpse of the divine.

A Buddha self-born, widely renowned,

Dharmaprabhasa, his name a profound sound,

The Radiance of the Dharma, a beacon of light,

Guiding all to wisdom, through spiritual insight.

His land pure and adorned with precious seven,

An eon called Radiance of Jewels, a luminous heaven,

Perfectly Pure, his world shall stand,

A beacon of purity, a harmonious land.

Many thousand kotis of Bodhisattvas there,

Masters of sciences, pure, with magical flair,

Tremendous knowledge, power so divine,

A realm of wonder, where enlightenment shines.

Thousands of disciples, magical in sight,

Meditating freedoms, in wisdom’s bright light,

Emancipations eight, qualifications four,

Arhats accomplished, on that enlightened shore.

All beings pure, leading life divine,

Gold-colored, thirty-two signs in line,

Apparitional birth, a spiritual dance,

Pleasure in law, in knowledge’s glance.

No gender divide, no fear or dismal states,

A land where dualities don’t segregate,

Only delight in knowledge, law’s embrace,

A world free from conflict, a sanctified place.

Such shall be Purna’s land, qualities untold,

Abounding with goodness, virtues bold,

A glimpse revealed, much left to explore,

In the path of enlightenment, an open door.