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

At that moment, the enlightened being, Understanding-the-Essence–of–the-Star’s-Radiance, asked the Lord, “Why, O Lord, does the enlightened being Medicine King^⁠ continue his journey in this world of suffering, fully knowing the countless challenges he must face? Could you, the Tathagata^⁠, tell us about the path and responsibilities of Medicine King? By hearing it, all present, including gods, dragons, spirits, celestial musicians, demons, mythical birds, heavenly beings, serpents, humans, non-human beings, other enlightened beings, and these great disciples may find satisfaction, delight, and joy.”

And so, in response to the request from the enlightened being, Understanding-the-Essence–of–the-Star’s-Radiance, the Lord began to tell the following tale:

Long ago, young seeker, in an epoch as distant as there are grains of sand in the Ganges River^⁠, a Tathagata^⁠ named Radiance of Moonlit Purity and Solar Brilliance appeared in the world, possessing wisdom and virtue, a guide to the path of enlightenment.^⁠

That Tathagata’s assembly was grand, with eighty million enlightened beings and disciples as numerous as the sands of seventy-two Ganges Rivers. His spiritual realm was free from the presence of women and devoid of hell, beasts, ghosts, and demons. It was a perfect place, smooth and level as the palm of one’s hand, with floors of heavenly lapis lazuli^⁠, adorned with trees made of jewels and fragrant sandalwood.

A small house of gems was at the foot of each jewel tree, close enough to be reached by an arrow’s shot. On top of those houses were countless angels, performing music in honor of Radiance of Moonlit Purity and Solar Brilliance as he taught the Lotus of the True Law^⁠ to the great disciples and Bodhisattvas, especially to Sarvasattvapriyadarsana^⁠ (One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love).

The lifetime of Radiance-of-Moonlit-Purity-and-Solar-Brilliance, along with the enlightened beings and great disciples, lasted forty-two thousand eons^⁠. Under his guidance, Sarvasattvapriyadarsana (One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love) devoted himself to his challenging path. He wandered for twelve thousand years, deeply engaged in meditation, until he achieved the state of seeing all forms^⁠.

Upon reaching this state, he felt contentment and joy, reflecting on how the Lotus of the True Law teaching led him there. He decided to pay homage to Radiance-of-Moonlit-Purity-and-Solar-Brilliance. As he meditated, miraculous flowers fell from the sky, clouds of precious sandalwood formed, and rains of luxurious fragrances poured down, each drop worth the world itself.

After some time, Understanding-the-Essence–of–the-Star’s-Radiance, the Bodhisattva One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love (Sarvasattvapriyadarsana) rose from his meditation with clarity and awareness. He thought: This display of magical power does not honor the Lord and Tathagata^⁠ as much as the sacrifice of my own body would.

So he began to consume fragrant substances such as agallochum^⁠, frankincense, and Boswellia resin, and to drink the oil of the kampaka flower. For twelve years, Understanding-the-Essence–of–the-Star’s-Radiance, he ate these fragrances and drank this oil, preparing himself for a profound act of devotion.