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

The Lord then turned to Bhaishajya Rāja, known as the Medicine King^⁠, addressing the eighty thousand great spiritual beings, Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas. He asked, “Do you see, Bhaishajya Rāja, the many gods, mythical serpents^⁠, mischievous beings^⁠, celestial musicians^⁠, obstacles to enlightenment^⁠, eagle-like protectors^⁠, harmonious creatures^⁠, and powerful serpents^⁠ in this gathering? Do you see the men, women, monks, nuns, and devoted followers of various spiritual paths who have heard these teachings from the Buddha?”

“I do, Lord; I do, Enlightened One^⁠,” replied Bhaishajya Rāja.

The Lord continued, “Well, Bhaishajya Rāja, all those who have heard even a single word of this teaching and embraced it with joy, whether present here or in future generations, I foresee them reaching the ultimate enlightenment. They will honor countless Buddhas^⁠, make sacred vows, and be reborn on Earth, showing compassion to all creatures.”

He added, “Those who take to heart even a single stanza of this teaching, who honor and revere it with offerings of flowers, incense, and music, and who show respect to the Enlightened Ones, to them too, I foresee supreme enlightenment. They will be worshippers of endless Buddhas, committed to the path of wisdom and compassion, destined for perfect enlightenment.”

Should someone ask, “What kind of person will one day become an Enlightened One, a Buddha?” Bhaishajya Rāja, refer them to the example of a young seeker, a man or woman of noble intent. Tell them, “Anyone who embraces even a single line of these teachings, who shows reverence for this spiritual wisdom, that person is destined to become an Enlightened One, a Buddha. Believe it, for such a person is already on the path to ultimate enlightenment.”

Such a seeker, Bhaishajya Rāja, should be honored by all, for they hold within them the essence of a Buddha. Even if they grasp just a fragment of this wisdom, and even more so if they embrace it fully, remembering and honoring it with offerings of flowers, incense, music, and reverence, they are like a Buddha come to life.

A young seeker, man or woman, who follows this path, Bhaishajya Rāja, is indeed on the journey to supreme enlightenment. They are like a Buddha who, out of compassion and commitment to a sacred vow, appears in our world^⁠ to share this profound wisdom. They bring this teaching to life, making it known to others, even if in secret or to just one person.

Such a seeker, Bhaishajya Rāja, acts as a representative of the Enlightened One. They perform the function of a Buddha, a beacon of wisdom and compassion. Recognize them as such, for they have the courage to share this spiritual wisdom after the complete realization of Nirvāna^⁠ by the Buddha.

Again, Bhaishajya Rāja, consider this: If someone, driven by malice and cruelty, were to speak harmfully to the Enlightened One, the Buddha, or if they were to say a single harsh word, true or false, to the blameless teachers and keepers of this profound teaching^⁠, whether lay followers or spiritual leaders, I tell you that the latter offense is the greater. Why? Because such seekers, men or women, are clothed in the wisdom of the Enlightened One. They carry the essence of the Buddha’s teachings within them.

Anyone who embraces this spiritual wisdom^⁠, who carries these teachings like a precious volume on their shoulder, deserves the highest respect. Wherever they go, they should be greeted with reverence by all beings, honored and celebrated by both the divine and the human with offerings of flowers, incense, fragrant garlands, ointments, garments, and music. They should be nourished with food and drink, and presented with vehicles and dazzling jewels. Such teachers of spiritual wisdom must be honored, for their words have the power to awaken countless beings to the path of supreme enlightenment.