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

The Lord then spoke to the entire assembly of Bodhisattvas, including gods and demons, saying: Long ago, monks, in previous ages, I tirelessly and without rest sought the Sūtra of the Lotus of the True Law for countless and immeasurable eons. Many eons ago, I was a king for thousands of eons. Once I firmly resolved to attain supreme and perfect enlightenment, my mind never wavered from that goal. I worked diligently to complete the six Perfections (Pāramitās), generously giving immense gifts: gold, money, jewels, pearls, lapis lazuli, conch-shells, precious stones, coral, gold and silver, emerald, agate, red pearls; towns, cities, districts, states, kingdoms, royal capitals; wives, children, slaves, both male and female; elephants, horses, carriages, and even sacrificing my life, body, limbs, hands, feet, and head. Yet, never did I feel self-satisfied.

In those days, human life was long, and for many hundreds of thousands of years, I ruled as a Law-abiding King, driven by duty, not enjoyment. After placing my eldest royal prince in charge of governing, I went out searching for the best spiritual law in all directions. I announced far and wide: “Whoever brings me the best laws or shows me what is beneficial, I will serve them.” During that time, a Seer existed, and he told me: “Noble king, there is a Sūtra named the Lotus of the True Law, which reveals the highest law. If you agree to serve me, I will teach you this law.” Hearing his words, I was filled with joy, satisfaction, and excitement, and I became his pupil, saying: “I will do the work of a servant for you.”

So, agreeing to be the Seer’s servant, I performed various duties such as gathering grass, firewood, water, bulbs, roots, fruit, and more. I also served as a doorkeeper. During the day, I did this kind of work, and at night, I attended to his feet while he rested on his couch, never feeling physical or mental fatigue. I spent a full millennium in such activities.

For further clarification on this matter, the Lord, at that time, spoke the following verses:

I recall past epochs’ gleam,
Dhārmika, the King, my name,
Not for love, but for duty’s sake,
In the Law’s embrace, I’d wake.

Proclamation spread afar,
Servant to the one, no bar,
Who’d explain Dharma so true,
Sage appeared in the True Law’s view.

Sage declared, “To know the way,
Serve me; learn what Dharma say.”
Joy arose, I served with care,
Truth revealed I found it there.

Weariness did never creep,
Body, mind in truth’s embrace steep,
Not for honor, not for pleasure,
Truth’s pursuit was my true treasure.

The king roamed with ardent might,
Thousands of eons, day and night,
Seeking Dharma’s Sūtra gleam,
Yet unfound, a distant dream.^⁠