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

To shed further light on this subject, the Enlightened One spoke the following verses on that occasion:

Displaying charity’s might with care,
Compassion’s embrace for all to share,
The Sugatas affirm with gentle stare,
This exalted Sūtra, rich and rare.

Laymen, friars, seekers at time’s end,
Embrace charity’s strength, do not contend,
Lest the law’s rejection they portend,
Its wisdom’s embrace they must defend.

When enlightenment’s reached, in glory I’ll stand,
As Tathāgata’s wisdom fills the land,
I’ll initiate others, take them by hand,
Preaching superior light, as love has planned.

A king of armies, his joy to unspool,
Rewards his soldiers, each brave and cool,
Gold, elephants, horses, cities – his jewel,
A token of contentment, his ruling tool.

Hand-ornaments, silver, gold thread bestowed,
Pearls, gems, conch-shells, gifts overflowed,
Slaves of various kinds, satisfaction showed,
His pleasure in them, he brightly glowed.

But when one soldier’s daring does shine,
The king declares, “This act is divine!”
He gives his crown, “This jewel is thine,”
A gift incomparable, a symbol fine.

I, the Buddha, the law’s noble king,
With patience’s force, wisdom’s bright wing,
Govern the world, compassion’s soft ring,
Benign and pitiful, to all I bring.

Seeing creatures in trouble, their strife and toil,
I pronounce teachings, wisdom’s sweet oil,
Heroism of beings, pure minds that foil,
Sinful inclinations, the world’s dark soil.

The king of the law, physician great,
Expounds countless teachings, opens the gate,
Recognizing strength, he does not hesitate,
Shows this Sūtra, a crown jewel’s weight.

This last Sūtra, proclaimed and true,
Eminent among teachings, bright in hue,
Always kept secret, known to a few,
Now I reveal; listen, a wisdom new.

Four qualities must be embraced,
By those who seek enlightenment’s grace,
In time’s decay, with steadfast face,
To perform my charge and win the race.

The wise one’s vexation knows no sway,
No trouble, sickness, nor dark array,
Skin not blackish, town not gray,
In joyful dwellings, they find their way.

The great Sage shines with a look so dear,
Honored as Tathāgata, drawing near,
Little angels attend with cheer,
His presence revered, his path is clear.

His body untouched by weapon or ill,
Poison, sticks, clods, can’t break his will,
Abuse against him is silenced still,
His aura of peace, a tranquil thrill.

A friend to all, his light roams wide,
Dissipating gloom, no shadow to hide,
Many creatures’ hearts open and abide,
In his Sūtra’s glow, where truths reside.

In dreams, he sees visions of Buddha’s embrace,
Monks and nuns in thrones, wisdom’s trace,
Proclaiming the law with gentle grace,
The multi-sided truth, time’s endless chase.

Gods and goblins in dreams abound,
Demons and Nâgas, all gather round,
Hands lifted high, in awe they’re found,
To his eminent law, they’re spellbound.

Dreaming of Tathāgata, preaching the way,
Golden and glorious, in bright array,
Many beings hearken to words that sway,
The law’s sweet song, in hearts it’ll stay.

With joined hands, he glorifies the Seer,
The highest of men, the path made clear,
The Jina, great physician, drawing near,
Expounding to classes, with voices sincere.

Glad to have heard, joy fills his core,
Worshiping wisdom, seeking ever more,
Knowledge unshaken, spells to explore,
In dreams he attains, what hearts adore.

The Lord of the world, with eyes so keen,
Perceives the intent, pure and serene,
“Young one of good heart, a leader you’ll be,
Supreme knowledge you’ll reach, just wait and see.”

“A large field you’ll have, four classes to teach,
Respectful they’ll listen to your heartfelt speech,
The vast, faultless law, they’ll hear from your lips,
With hands joined together, on wisdom’s sweet trips.”

In dreams, he meditates, mountain caverns his seat,
Attains the law’s nature, insight so sweet,
Complete absorption, the Jina he sees,
A vision of gold, a soul at ease.

In dreams, he hears the law, the gold-colored one,
A hundred signs hallowed, the journey’s begun,
He preaches the assembly, his words taking flight,
Such is his dream, in wisdom’s pure light.

In dreams, he forsakes realms, harem, and kin,
Renouncing all pleasures, ascetic life to begin,
To the terrace of enlightenment, he takes his way,
A throne at the foot of a tree, where he’ll stay.

Seven days seeking, enlightenment’s embrace,
Knowledge of Tathāgatas, he’ll surely trace,
The wisdom he’ll find, a treasure so rare,
A journey of mind, beyond all compare.

Rising to move the faultless wheel forward,
Preaching the law, with truth’s resonant chord,
Inconceivable ages, his teachings will last,
A beacon of light, through time’s boundless vast.

Revealing perfection, leading many to rest,
A lamp extinguished, when oil’s not its best,
So is that vision, so pure and so bright,
A path to enlightenment, through wisdom’s true light.

Endless, Mañjusri, the gains ever flow,
For one who expounds this Sūtra, with wisdom to show,
Superior enlightenment, perfectly clear,
At time’s distant end, drawing ever near.