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

At that moment, the Lord expressed these verses:

King Bhishmasvara of old, the Jina mighty and bold,
Revered by all, a leader true, of men, gods, and giants too.

In the era, truth declined, Sadaparibhuta we find,
A monk, a Bodhisattva wise, enlightenment his only prize.

To those who doubted, filled with scorn, he’d say: “Your path is brightly adorned,
I’ll never despise you, though you stray, enlightenment is your destined way.”

Death approached, taunts he faced, in this Sutra, truth embraced,
The sage lived on, with life prolonged, this sacred Sutra he passed along.

Leading many from perception’s snare, to enlightenment’s embrace, he took them there,
Then vanished, honoring Buddhas bright, in countless sessions, day and night.

Through his deeds, this Sutra’s voice, I, Sâkyamuni, made my choice,
Enlightenment I found, and here, before me now, the truth is clear.

Those once trapped in what they saw—monks, nuns, lay devotees, all in awe,
Here before me, they stand, having seen many Buddhas across the land.

I’ve led them to ripeness full, after me, they’ll guide with wisdom’s pull,
They’ll keep this Sutra, let it shine, a beacon of wisdom through all time.

Not once in ages without end has such a Sutra found a friend,
Hundreds of Buddhas have come and gone, but these words they’ve not spoken upon.

If you hear this law, so rare, from Self-born’s lips, with honor declare,
Promote this Sutra when I’m gone, let wisdom’s melody play on.