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

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

As I’ve mentioned before, a merit immense,
Shall be his who keeps this Sutra’s defense,
After the Leader of men’s complete extinction,
A path of wisdom, a spiritual distinction.

He’ll have paid worship to me, built Stupas grand,
Of relics, precious, beautiful, a wonderland,
Variegated and splendid, a sacred embrace,
Honoring wisdom, a divine resting place.

In height reaching to the Brahma’s realm above,
With umbrellas in rows, a symbol of love,
Great in circumference, gorgeous in sight,
Decorated with streamers, triumphal light.

Resounding with clear bells, silk bands adorned,
Jingles moved by the wind, Jina relics unscorned,
A melody celestial, a harmony so pure,
An ornament divine, an eternal allure.

Great honor shown by flowers, scents, and grace,
Perfumes, ointments, music’s tender embrace,
Clothes, tymbals repeated, a symphony sweet,
A worship profound, a homage complete.

Sweet musical instruments struck at relics dear,
Lamps with scented oil burning, drawing near,
All around a glow, a radiance divine,
A worship endless, a sacred design.

He who keeps and teaches this Sutra so true,
At the period of deprivation, a path to pursue,
Will have paid me worship, varied and grand,
Infinite in nature, a spiritual command.

He’ll have built monasteries, excellent, rare,
Of sandalwood fragrant, with pinnacles fair,
Thirty-two in number, eight terraces high,
A refuge for wisdom, where truths never die.

Provided with couches, food both hard and soft,
Curtains excellent, and cells aloft,
By thousands they stand, a sanctuary pure,
A haven for seekers, an enlightenment’s lure.

He’ll have given hermitages, walks with flowers,
Gardens embellished, elegance in hours,
Many forms variegated, a beauty to behold,
Objects elegant, a grace untold.

Manifold worship to disciples he’s shown,
In my presence, a reverence well-known,
He who, after my extinction, shall keep this word,
This Sutra sacred, a wisdom unheard.

If one is ever so good in disposition and heart,
Greater merit awaits, a spiritual start,
For he who keeps or writes this Sutra divine,
A path to enlightenment, a wisdom’s design.

Let a man have this written, a volume so true,
Well put together, a guide to pursue,
Worship always with flowers, garlands, and grace,
Ointments and scents, a spiritual embrace.

Constantly place a lamp with scented oil near,
Full-blown lotuses, offerings sincere,
Michelia Champaka, a gift so pure,
Suitable oblations, a reverence sure.

The man who pays such worship to books so wise,
Will produce a merit that never dies,
A mass unmeasured, a reward profound,
A spiritual treasure, a truth unbound.

As there’s no measure of ether’s embrace,
In none of the ten directions, a limitless space,
So there’s no measure of this merit grand,
A virtue endless, a timeless command.

How much more for one patient, meek, and devout,
Moral and studious, without a doubt,
Addicted to meditation, a seeker so true,
A path of enlightenment, a vision anew.

Not irascible, not treacherous, reverential in mind,
Humble towards monks, not conceited, you’ll find,
Not neglectful, but mindful, a path to embrace,
A wisdom unfolding, a spiritual grace.

Sensible, wise, not angered by query,
Compassionate to beings, a vision not weary,
Giving instruction suited to each,
A guidance loving, a wisdom to teach.

If there be such a man who keeps this Sutra so dear,
A mass of merit awaits, a vision clear,
A reward unmeasured, a blessing profound,
A path to enlightenment, a wisdom unbound.

If one meets such a man as described, a keeper true,
A Sutra preserver, a wisdom to pursue,
One should do homage, a reverence share,
A connection profound, a spiritual care.

Present him with divine flowers, cover him with grace,
Divine clothes to honor, and bow to embrace,
Salute his feet with conviction, a Tathagata’s glow,
A path to enlightenment, a wisdom to know.

And at the sight of such a man, a reflection make,
Going towards the foot of the tree, enlightenment’s wake,
Superior, blessed for the weal of all,
The world, including the gods, heeding the call.

Wherever such a sage walks, stands, sits, or lays,
Wherever the hero pronounces, a Sutra’s ways,
A single verse, a wisdom’s embrace,
A Stupa build for the highest, a spiritual space.

A splendid, beautiful Stupa, dedicated to the Lord,
Buddha, the Chief, worship manifold, adored,
That spot of the earth, enjoyed by myself,
There have I walked, sat, a wisdom’s wealth.

Where that son of Buddha has stayed, there I am,
A presence eternal, a wisdom’s grand plan,
A path to enlightenment, a vision so dear,
A connection profound, a truth ever clear.