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

Further, Satatasamitabhiyukta, whether a young man from a noble family or a young woman who preserves, teaches, shares, and writes this Sacred Teaching (Dharmapāryaya), shall possess a sense of taste with twelve hundred fine qualities of the tongue. All flavors tasted will yield a divine, exquisite pleasure. Even typically unpleasant tastes will transform into heavenly delights on the tongue.

Whatever this person preaches to the assembly will satisfy all who hear it; they will be content, thoroughly content, and filled with joy. A sweet, tender, agreeable, and profound voice will emanate from this person, an amiable voice that touches the heart, captivating those who hear it. Upon hearing this melodious voice, even gods will feel compelled to see, honor, and serve this person.

The Angels and Houris, the Indras (Heavenly Kings), Brahmas (Great Gods), Brahmakayikas (Inhabitants of the Brahma Worlds), Nagas (Serpent Deities), and Naga Girls, Demons and Demon Girls, Garudas (Mythical Birds) and Garuda Girls, Kinnaras (Celestial Musicians) and Kinnara Girls, Great Serpents and Serpent Girls, Goblins and Goblin Girls, Imps and Imp Girls—all will desire to see, honor, serve, and hear this person’s teachings. They will show respect, esteem, worship, reverence, and awe.

Monks, Nuns, Male and Female Lay Devotees, Kings, Royal Princes, Ministers, Military Leaders, Emperors with the Seven Treasures, Ladies of the Harem, and their retinues will also wish to see and honor this person. So sweet, truthful, and aligned with the teachings of the Tathagata (Enlightened One) will be the words of this preacher.

Others, too, Brahmans and Laymen, Citizens and Peasants, will follow this preacher throughout life. Even the Disciples of the Tathagata, the Hermit Buddhas (Solitary Enlightened Ones), and the Lords of the Buddhas will desire to see this person. Wherever this young man or young lady stays, they will preach, facing the Tathagata, and they will be a worthy vessel for the Buddha’s qualities. Such will be the pleasant and profound voice of the law that emanates from them.^⁠

At that moment, the Lord expressed these verses:

His taste most refined, his flavors divine,
On his tongue, they transform, in a manner sublime,
Never a relish for the lesser or base,
But a divine taste, in a transcendent grace.

A tender voice, sweet words he bestows,
Pleasant to hear, in assembly it flows,
Melodious, deep, agreeable, and fine,
His speech charms the hearts, in a rhythm divine.

With myriad examples, his sermon takes wing,
Great joy it imparts, veneration it brings,
To all who listen, his wisdom they crave,
His teachings profound, they ardently save.

Gods, Nagas, demons, goblins in wait,
Long to see him, his words contemplate,
Respectfully listening, in awe and delight,
His qualities vast, their minds they ignite.

His voice, if he wills, the whole world can hear,
Fine, sweet, deep, tender, winning and clear,
A sound to enchant, to draw and to bind,
A melody pure, of the loftiest kind.

Emperors on earth, their children and wives,
Honor him, listen, as his wisdom derives,
Joined hands in reverence, to his sermon they cling,
His words a balm, a transcendent ring.

Followed by goblins, Nagas, and sprites,
Gandharvas and imps, in day and in night,
Male and female, they worship his grace,
Respect and honor, in their fervent embrace.

Brahma serves obedient, Isvara near,
Mahesvara, Indra, they all revere,
Heavenly nymphs approach in their flight,
His presence a beacon, a spiritual light.

And the Buddhas, benign, merciful and wise,
With disciples, they listen, no words they despise,
Protecting him, showing their face in the glow,
Satisfaction they feel, as they hear him bestow.