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

At that moment, the enlightened teacher Shakyamuni rose from his seat, gathered the aspiring spiritual leaders, and grasped their right hands with his magically strengthened right hand. He then addressed them with these words:

“I entrust to you, young people from honorable families, the supreme wisdom and enlightenment I have reached after countless eons of unmeasurable time. It’s a perfect understanding that took unimaginable effort to attain. Now it’s in your hands, and I call upon you to nurture it, to let it flourish and spread. Do your best, for it is a great responsibility.”

Twice more, the enlightened teacher Shakyamuni repeated his charge to the gathered spiritual leaders, each time taking their right hands into his own:

“I entrust to you again, young disciples from honorable backgrounds, this highest form of understanding and enlightenment that I have achieved through an incomprehensible span of time and countless eons. Accept it, care for it, study it, understand it, teach it, share it, and preach it to all beings.

I do not cling to this knowledge or keep it only for myself. I’m eager and willing to share this profound understanding, the wisdom of the enlightened ones, the wisdom of self-realization. I give freely, young individuals, and I encourage you to do the same. Follow my example; spread this wisdom liberally, with skill and compassion. Share it with the young men and women who gather around you in the future, and strive to inspire even those who may be skeptical or resistant.

By doing so, you honor your commitment to the enlightened path and fulfill your duty to the eternal wisdom of the Buddhas.”^⁠

Hearing these words from the enlightened teacher Shakyamuni, the spiritual leaders were filled with joy and deep respect. They humbly bowed toward the master, their heads inclined, hands joined together, and spoke in unison:

“We will do as you ask, O enlightened one. We will carry out the wishes of all the enlightened teachers. Rest assured, and be at peace with this.”

A second time, a third time, they repeated their solemn vow to the teacher, their voices joined as one:

“Rest easy and be perfectly at peace, O enlightened one. We will do as you command and fulfill the enlightened wishes of our teachers.”

Then the enlightened teacher Shakyamuni dismissed all the other enlightened beings who had come to the gathering from different worlds. He wished them happiness, saying, “May you all live joyfully.”

He returned the magnificent Stupa, filled with precious materials dedicated to the enlightened teacher Prabhutaratna, to its original place. He offered a blessing for happiness and well-being to it as well.

So it was that the enlightened teacher spoke. The countless other enlightened beings who had come from different worlds, seated on thrones beneath trees adorned with jewels, listened along with Prabhutaratna, another revered enlightened being. They were joined by an immense assembly of spiritual leaders headed by Visishtakaritra, known for his Eminent Conduct, and countless other great spiritual beings who had emerged from the depths of the earth.

Along with the master’s closest followers, the diverse crowd of people, including gods, humans, and other mythical beings, all rejoiced and celebrated the words of the enlightened teacher, their hearts filled with joy and admiration.