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

The Lord then spoke to Maitreya, the great spiritual leader:

“Ajita, consider those who, during the teachings about the infinite lifespan of the Enlightened One, even if they felt a single moment of trust or belief in it. Can you fathom the immense virtue they will attain, whether young men or women of noble character? Listen, and understand the greatness of the virtue they will cultivate.

Imagine, Ajita, a young man or woman of noble character who, longing for complete enlightenment, dedicates themselves to practicing the five perfections of virtue—charity, morality, patience, energy, and meditation (excluding wisdom)—for countless eons. Now, compare this to another young man or woman who, upon hearing the teachings about the infinite life of the Enlightened One, even if they feel just a moment of trust or belief.

The virtue accumulated by the first, even after endless eons of practice, does not equal even the one-hundredth part of the virtue in the second case. It doesn’t even equal one-thousandth part. It’s beyond calculation, counting, comparison, or any secret teaching.

Ajita, a person possessing such an incredible accumulation of virtue, whether a young man or young woman of noble character, will undoubtedly reach complete and perfect enlightenment. It cannot be otherwise.”^⁠

And on that occasion, the Lord uttered the following verses:

Seekers of wisdom, of superior insight,
Practice the virtues, perfect and bright,
In this world, let them cultivate grace,
Five perfect virtues, they must embrace.

For ages untold, give alms to the wise,
To Buddhas and disciples, never compromise,
Eight thousand cycles of time, in steadfast belief,
Repeated giving, a commitment without relief.

Regale those alone, Hermit Buddhas, with care,
And countless leaders, with food and fare,
Offer meat, drink, clothing, and shelter,
In generosity’s name, be an unwavering welter.

Build refuges and monasteries of fragrant wood,
On Earth’s surface, where peace is understood,
Convent gardens with walks, a pleasant delight,
A sanctuary for all in spiritual insight.

After bestowing gifts, varied and wide,
For thousands of cycles, let nothing slide,
Direct the mind to enlightenment’s call,
A quest for wisdom, embracing all.

Seek Buddha’s knowledge, keep morals pure,
Precepts recommended, acknowledged by the sure,
Perfect Buddhas guide, the wise confirm,
A path unbroken, a steadfast term.

Develop forbearance, a virtue so dear,
Be steady, meek, constant, free from fear,
Of good memory, patient, endure the scorn,
Many censures faced, yet never forlorn.

Bear the contempt of those who doubt,
Unbelievers rooted in pride, their voices shout,
For the sake of wisdom, remain unbowed,
Always zealous, strenuous, never cowed.

Without distraction, practice meditation’s art,
For cycles uncounted, with a dedicated heart,
Whether in the forest or a vagrant’s way,
Avoid sloth, torpor, every single day.

As a thinker, a seeker who meditates with grace,
Concentration of mind in that sacred place,
Pass through cycles uncounted, a journey so grand,
Eight thousand eons in meditative land.

Energetically pursue enlightenment’s call,
Reach all-knowingness, the highest of all,
Arrive at deep meditation, the summit of quest,
Where wisdom and clarity are at their best.

The merit of virtues practiced with care,
Through thousands of cycles, beyond compare,
Is vast, yet there’s more, a truth so divine,
A merit endless, a wisdom benign.

A man or a woman who hears of my life,
Believes in its span, in a moment ends strife,
This merit is endless, a reward so true,
A faith undoubted, a vision anew.

Renounce all doubt, vacillation, and fear,
Believe for a moment, and the path will be clear,
Such a reward awaits, a blessing profound,
A certainty rising, a truth unbound.

Bodhisattvas, practiced in virtues so grand,
Will not be startled, they’ll understand,
My life’s inconceivable length, they’ll embrace,
And bow their heads, seeking a similar grace.

‘May I become such, releasing beings in need,
Like the Lion of the Sakya race, in wisdom and deed,
On the terrace of enlightenment, may I roar,
Releasing others, forever and more.’

‘As the Lord Sakyamuni, the Sakya’s pride,
Sat on enlightenment’s terrace, nothing to hide,
Raised his lion’s roar, his teaching so true,
May I do the same, a life to pursue.’

‘May I sit in enlightenment’s terrace so bright,
Honored by mortals, teaching life’s endless light,
As the Lord taught so long, may I follow that way,
A life without end, a wisdom’s display.’

Those firm in intention, principles learned,
Will understand the mystery, uncertainty spurned,
They’ll grasp the secret, the doubt will cease,
In wisdom’s embrace, they’ll find endless peace.^⁠