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

Further, Satatasamitabhiyukta, the Bodhisattva Mahasattva who, even after the complete passing away of the Tathagata (Enlightened One), preserves, teaches, writes, and reads this Sacred Teaching (Dharmapāryaya), will possess a mind endowed with twelve hundred fine qualities of intellect. With this perfect mental faculty, he will grasp its various meanings even if he hears a single verse.

Fully comprehending the verse, he will find the content to preach for a month, four months, or even a whole year. The sermon he delivers will remain etched in his memory. He will skillfully reconcile everyday life’s famous sayings and advice with the principles of the spiritual law.

He will understand the thoughts, actions, and movements of all beings in the universe caught in the cycle of existence across all six realms of being. He will discern their intentions, goals, and desires. Even though he has not yet reached the elevated state of an Arya (Noble One), his intellectual capacity will be thoroughly perfected.

Everything he preaches, reflecting deeply on the interpretation of the law, will align with the truth; he will speak the words that all Tathagatas have spoken, echoing what has been declared in the Scriptures of previous Jinas (Victorious Ones).

At that moment, the Lord expressed these verses:

A mental organ perfect, lucid, and true,
Discovering laws, both old and new,
Low, high, and mean, in clarity they stand,
Within his wisdom’s profound command.

A single verse, its meaning manifold,
For months he expounds, both young and old,
Conventional and true sense, he makes clear,
His voice resounds for all to hear.

Beings in this world, in every state,
Gods, men, demons, their thoughts relate,
Nagas, brutes, in existence’s every condition,
The sage knows their thoughts, a divine intuition.

The advantages of this Sutra, vast and wide,
In his heart and mind, they forever reside,
Understanding all, with wisdom’s embrace,
These are the gifts of this Sutra’s grace.

The holy sound of law, Buddha’s blessed voice,
Preaching worldwide, he hears and rejoices,
The Buddha’s words, he catches and keeps,
Wisdom’s treasure, where truth ever sleeps.

Reflecting supreme law, constant dilation,
Never hesitating, pure contemplation,
Keeping this Sutra, advantages abound,
In wisdom’s depth, truth is found.

Connections and knots, he knows them all,
Contrarieties in laws, none make him fall,
Meaning and interpretations, he expounds with ease,
Knowledge flows like a gentle breeze.

Ancient Masters’ Sutras, the world’s embrace,
Preaching in assembly, he takes his place,
Never flinching, always true,
This is the law he brings to you.

Such is his mental organ, clear and bright,
Not yet emancipated, but filled with light,
Preceding knowledge, wisdom’s dawn,
On the path to truth, he’s never withdrawn.

Keeper of this Sutra, Sugata’s word,
A master’s stage, his voice is heard,
Preaching to creatures, skillful in interpretation,
Kotis of wisdom, a divine celebration.^⁠