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

The Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Maitreya and the vast assembly of countless Bodhisattvas were filled with wonder, amazement, and astonishment. They thought to themselves, “How is it possible that in such a brief span of time, so many Bodhisattvas, beyond counting, have been awakened and brought to the brink of supreme and perfect enlightenment?”

Then Maitreya asked the Lord, “How can it be, O Lord, that after leaving Kapilavastu, the town of the Sākyas, as a prince, and attaining supreme and perfect enlightenment near the town of Gayā, just over forty years ago, you have accomplished so much? How have you managed to perform the endless tasks of a Tathāgata, exercise leadership, and exert the energy of a Tathāgata, all within such a short time?

“How has it been possible for you to awaken and mature this immense multitude of Bodhisattvas for supreme, perfect enlightenment? Is a multitude so vast that counting them all would take countless eons? These Bodhisattvas, so numerous, O Lord, have been following a spiritual path for ages, planting the roots of goodness under many enlightened Buddhas, and becoming ripe over many eons.”

Imagine a young man, youthful and in the prime of his life at twenty-five years of age, with dark hair. He presents a group of centenarians as his sons and claims, ‘Look, these are my children,’ and the centenarians affirm, ‘This is our father who gave us life.’ Such a statement would be unbelievable and hard for the public to accept.

Similarly, the Tathāgata, who has only recently achieved supreme and perfect enlightenment, speaks of these countless Bodhisattvas. These are beings who have followed a spiritual path for endless eons, who have long been certain of Tathāgata-knowledge, who master countless forms of meditation, who have transcended ordinary wisdom, who are proficient in the Buddha’s teachings, and who are known for their vigor, strength, and power. Yet the Lord claims that he has awakened, matured, and developed them since the very beginning to be fit for their roles as Bodhisattvas, all within the relatively short time since his enlightenment.

How can we have faith in the words of the Tathāgata, who asserts that he speaks the infallible truth? The Lord must recognize that those new to the spiritual path may find this difficult to believe. After the Tathāgata’s passing, those who hear these teachings might reject and distrust them. Such disbelief could lead to actions that harm the spiritual law.

Therefore, O Lord, please explain this matter. Clarify it so that we may be free from confusion and that future seekers, both young men and young ladies, may not doubt.

At that moment, the Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Maitreya spoke to the Lord, expressing his thoughts through the following verses:

Born in Kapilavastu, home of the Sâkyas’ embrace,
Leaving for Gayā, enlightenment’s face,
Short time ago, O Lord of the World,
A journey begun, a story unfurled.

Now a great crowd, these sages, they follow,
Many eons of duties, magic power, no sorrow,
Unshaken, well-disciplined, wisdom’s bright light,
Accomplished and steadfast, a magnificent sight.

Untainted as lotus, by water unstirred,
Rending the earth, to wisdom referred,
Joined hands, respectful, memory strong,
Sons of the Master, to whom they belong.

How will these Bodhisattvas believe this great tale?
Expel all doubt, let truth prevail,
Tell the cause, show the way, let understanding begin,
A wonder so grand, let clarity win.

Like a young man, with black hair, twenty or so,
Presenting centenarians as sons, a puzzling show,
Wrinkled and grey, they declare him their kin,
Difficult to believe, where does truth therein?

Sons to so young, an appearance so odd,
Difficult to fathom, O Lord, O God,
A mystery so deep, a story untold,
Lord of the World, let the truth unfold.

In the same manner, O Lord, our minds are perplexed,
How these Bodhisattvas, in wisdom so vexed,
Good memory and learning, through eons they’ve grown,
Thousands of kotis, their wisdom well-known.

Firm, keen, lovely to see, free from doubt,
Decisions on law, they’re praised all about,
Leaders of worlds sing their virtuous song,
Their grace and their might, their wisdom so strong.

Living in woods, in freedom they dwell,
Unattached in ether, their energy swells,
Sons of Sugata, this Buddha-ground they seek,
Striving and learning, in wisdom they speak.

How will this be believed, when the leader’s no more?
Extinct and departed, what’s left to explore?
Hearing from you, O Lord, doubt will subside,
Speak the truth, let understanding abide.

May Bodhisattvas never stumble in thought,
Doubting their head, in confusion they’re caught,
Grant us, O Lord, a truthful embrace,
How they’ve matured by your infinite grace.