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

Then, all those countless Bodhisattvas, as numerous as the dust particles in the universe, who had emerged from the depths of the earth, all raised their joined hands towards the Enlightened One and said to him: “We, O Teacher, will spread this profound teaching everywhere in all lands where the Enlightened One has reached Nirvana^⁠. Wherever you are no longer present, we are eager to share this sublime teaching, to keep it, read it, share it with others, and write it down.”

Then, the countless Bodhisattvas, led by Manjusri^⁠, along with monks, nuns, male and female followers in this world, and celestial beings like gods, Nagas^⁠, goblins, Gandharvas^⁠, demons, Garudas^⁠, Kinnaras^⁠, great serpents, humans, and non-human beings, and many enlightened Bodhisattvas as numerous as the sands of the river Ganges, said to the Enlightened One: “We too, O Teacher, will spread this profound teaching after you have reached Nirvana^⁠. Though unseen in the sky, we will send forth a voice to instill goodness in those who have not yet found their path to virtue.”

Then the Enlightened One spoke to the great Bodhisattva known as Visishtakaritra^⁠ (Eminent Conduct or Superior Practices), who led a multitude, a grand multitude, and was the foremost of those previously mentioned enlightened Bodhisattvas leading multitudes, grand multitudes, masters of multitudes: “Very well, Eminent Conduct, very well; this is what you should do. For the sake of this profound teaching, I have guided you to this level of spiritual maturity.”

Then the Enlightened One, Sakyamuni^⁠, and the completely transcended Lord Prabhutaratna^⁠, both seated on a throne in the center of the sacred structure, began smiling at each other. They extended their tongues in a miraculous way, reaching all the way to the celestial realm, and from their tongues emanated countless rays of light. From each of these rays emerged myriad Bodhisattvas^⁠, golden in color and marked with the thirty-two signs of greatness, each seated on thrones shaped like the inside of lotus flowers.

These Bodhisattvas spread out in all directions, covering hundreds of thousands of worlds, and while suspended in the sky, they preached the teachings. Just as Sakyamuni performed this magical feat with his tongue, so did Prabhutaratna and the other Enlightened Ones, who had come from distant realms and were seated at the base of jewel-encrusted trees, create similar magical displays.

The Enlightened One, Sakyamuni^⁠, and all the other Tathagatas^⁠ performed this magical display for a thousand years. After that millennium had passed, they pulled back their tongues, creating a tremendous noise like a thunderclap and a snapping of fingers. This sound shook countless realms in every direction, stirring, tossing, and completely rocking them.

All beings in those lands—gods, Nagas^⁠, goblins, Gandharvas^⁠, demons, Garudas^⁠, Kinnaras^⁠, great serpents, humans, and non-human beings—saw this world, known as Saha, by the power of the Buddha. They saw the countless Tathagatas seated at the base of jewel trees and the completely transcended Lord Prabhutaratna alongside Sakyamuni, both seated on a throne in the center of a magnificent, jeweled structure. They also saw the four groups of the audience. They were filled with wonder, astonishment, and joy at the sight.

Then, a voice from the heavens called out: “Noble beings, far beyond a vast and immeasurable distance, in the world named Saha, the Tathagata known as Sakyamuni is revealing the profound teachings of the Lotus of the True Law. This great text instructs enlightened beings and is the essence of all Buddhas. Embrace it with joy and reverence, and pay homage to the Lord Sakyamuni and the Lord Prabhutaratna.”

Upon hearing the voice from the sky, all the beings called out from where they stood, with hands clasped together: “Praise to the Lord Sakyamuni^⁠, the Enlightened One!” Then they showered the world of Saha with an array of offerings: flowers, incense, fragrant garlands, ointments, gold, fabric, umbrellas, flags, banners, streamers, and all kinds of ornaments, perfumes, necklaces, gems, jewels. They offered these to honor the Lord Sakyamuni and the profound teachings of the Lotus of the True Law.

These offerings floated down to the world of Saha, forming a magnificent canopy of flowers suspended in the sky above the Enlightened Ones and those in countless other worlds. It was a breathtaking scene, a celestial celebration of reverence and devotion, symbolizing universal respect for the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha.

The Lord then spoke to the Bodhisattvas, young men and women of noble character, led by Visishtakaritra (Eminent Conduct)^⁠: “Incomprehensible is the power of the Enlightened Ones. I could spend endless eons detailing these teachings’ many virtues without truly capturing their depth. In these teachings, I have encapsulated the essence of all Buddha’s wisdom, the greatness, the mystery, and the profound nature of enlightenment.

“So, young men and women, after I am gone, treasure these teachings. Honor them, read them, spread them, cherish them, and pay homage to them. And wherever these teachings are known, read, written, contemplated, taught, studied, or stored, whether it be in a monastery, home, wilderness, city, beneath a tree, in a palace, in a building, or in a cavern, that place should be honored with a shrine dedicated to the Enlightened One. “See that place as a platform of enlightenment; consider it a place where all have reached a supreme understanding. The wheel of wisdom has been turned there, and there, all have found complete peace and liberation.”