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

At that moment, a wise and compassionate being known as Mahapratibhana, or “Great Eloquence,”^⁠ turned his gaze to the world—filled with gods, men, and mystical beings—and asked the Lord, “O Master, what has brought forth this stunning tower of precious gems? What is the reason for its magnificent appearance? Whose voice resonates from within its sparkling walls?”

The Lord replied, “Within this Stūpa, Great Eloquence, resides the very essence of the Enlightened One, condensed and pure. It is his voice that you hear, his wisdom that fills the air. This Stūpa is a symbol and a vessel of his eternal truth.”

In the vastness of the cosmos, Great Eloquence, countless worlds thrive. Among them is the realm called Ratnavisuddha^⁠, home to the Enlightened One named Abundant Jewels, also known as Prabhūtaratna^⁠. This wise and compassionate being once vowed never to attain perfect enlightenment unless he had first encountered the profound teachings of the Lotus of the True Law, known as the Dharmaparyāya^⁠. Upon hearing these teachings, he became ripe for ultimate enlightenment.

As the time approached for Abundant Jewels to leave the earthly realm, he declared to all beings, celestial and mortal: “After my departure, a Stūpa, a sacred monument, shall be made from precious substances to honor my true essence. Other Stūpas shall be dedicated to me as well.”

Then, with a blessing that resonated through the ages, he proclaimed, “May my Stūpa rise wherever the teachings of the Lotus of the True Law are shared across the Buddha-lands in all directions. May it stand in the sky above those gathered to hear these teachings from any Lord Buddha, and may it shout applause, affirming the truth of this profound wisdom.”

It is this very Stūpa, Great Eloquence, containing the relics of Abundant Jewels, that appeared before us, standing like a meteor in the sky, offering its celestial applause as I preached the teachings of the Lotus of the True Law in this world.

Great Eloquence, filled with reverence, turned to the Lord and pleaded, “O Master, reveal to us the true essence of the Tathāgata known as Abundant Jewels. Allow us to glimpse the sacred frame that resides within the Stūpa.”

The Lord replied, “Great Eloquence, the Tathāgata Abundant Jewels made a solemn and devout vow. He declared, ‘Whenever the Buddhas in other lands preach the profound teachings of the Lotus of the True Law, may this Stūpa, containing my very essence, be present to hear the wisdom. And when those Buddhas wish to reveal my true form to the seekers, may all the representations of the Enlightened Ones, created in different lands and bearing different names, come together with this Stūpa. Together, they shall be opened and displayed to all who seek the truth.’”

“Therefore, Great Eloquence,” the Lord continued, “I have manifested many images of the Enlightened Ones, each preaching the law in different worlds and lands. All these, united with this Stūpa that contains the essence of my own being, shall be brought here to be seen.”^⁠

Great Eloquence, moved by the profound revelation, said to the Lord, “Shall we, O Master, pay homage to all these wondrous manifestations of the Tathāgata, these sacred emanations created by the Enlightened One?”