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

Further, Mañjuśrī, the Great Spiritual Seeker (Bodhisattva Mahāsattva), living at the time when the true teachings are falling into decay after the passing away of the Enlightened One (Tathāgata), and who wishes to preserve this Spiritual Teaching (Dharmaparyāya), should distance himself as much as possible from laymen and other spiritual practitioners, living a life devoted to charity. He should feel a deep affection for all beings on the path to enlightenment and reflect on the following thoughts:

Certainly, there are those who are greatly misguided in their thinking, those who neither hear nor perceive nor understand the wisdom and the profound teachings of the Enlightened One. They do not seek it, believe in it, or even show willingness to believe in it. Naturally, they do not grasp or comprehend this Spiritual Teaching.

However, I, who have attained this ultimate and perfect understanding, will strongly influence the minds of everyone, no matter their position or state of understanding. I will help them to accept, understand, and fully mature in their spiritual journey.

By embracing this fourth quality as well, Mañjuśrī, a Great Spiritual Seeker (Bodhisattva Mahāsattva) who is to share the spiritual teachings after the passing away of the Enlightened One (Tathāgata), will enjoy safety and respect. Monks, nuns, lay devotees of both genders, kings, princes, ministers, officials, city dwellers, and villagers, as well as Brahmans and laypeople, will honor, respect, esteem, and venerate him.

The celestial beings in the sky, filled with faith, will follow him to hear the teachings, and the angels will protect him on his path. Whether he is in a village or a monastery, they will approach him day and night with questions about the spiritual teachings, and they will be satisfied and delighted with his explanations.

For this Spiritual Teaching (Dharmaparyāya), Mañjuśrī, has been blessed by all Buddhas. It has been forever blessed by the past, present, and future Enlightened Ones. In all worlds, Mañjuśrī, the sound, report, or mention of this Spiritual Teaching is precious.

Consider a situation, Mañjuśrī, similar to that of a king, a commander of armies, who has conquered his own kingdom by force, only to face war from other rival kings. He has soldiers of various kinds, each fighting different enemies. As the king observes their bravery, he is delighted and inspired, and in his joy, he rewards them with various gifts such as villages, towns, garments, jewelry, elephants, horses, cars, soldiers, slaves, vehicles, and litters. However, he does not give away his crown jewel, for that jewel is only fitting for a king. If he were to give away that crown jewel, the entire royal army would be astonished and amazed.

Similarly, Mañjuśrī, the Enlightened One (Tathāgata), reigns with righteousness over the three realms of existence, which he has conquered through his spiritual might and virtue. This realm is attacked by Māra, the Evil One. The spiritual warriors, the noble ones (Āryas), fight against Mâra under the guidance of the Enlightened One, the great king of spiritual law.

To encourage his spiritual soldiers, the Enlightened One shares hundreds of thousands of teachings (Sūtras) with them, offering them the promise of Nirvāna, the great city of spiritual liberation. Yet, he does not reveal this particular Spiritual Teaching (Dharmaparyāya) to them.

Just as the earthly king, impressed by the valor of his soldiers, eventually gives away even his crown jewel, so too does the Enlightened One, seeing the disciples and Great Spiritual Seekers (Bodhisattvas) battling against illusion and sinful inclinations, and witnessing them conquer hatred, greed, and ignorance, eventually share this unique and unparalleled teaching. He bestows upon them the noble crown jewel of wisdom, the most exalted understanding that leads to omniscience.

For this, Mañjuśrī, is the supreme teaching of the Enlightened Ones; this is their final Spiritual Teaching; this is the most profound discourse on spiritual law, a teaching that meets opposition and disbelief in the world. Just as the earthly king finally bestowed his long-kept crown jewel, so too does the Enlightened One reveal this long-kept secret of spiritual law, surpassing all others, a mystery only known to the Enlightened Ones.