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

After those twelve years, he wrapped his body in divine garments and bathed it in oil. With his mind filled with devotion, he set his body ablaze as an offering to honor the Tathagata and the sacred teachings of the Lotus of the True Law^⁠.

The flames from his blazing body brightened eighty worlds, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River, and the eight Lords Buddhas^⁠ in those worlds all shouted their approval: “Well done, well done, noble seeker! This is the true heroism that Bodhisattvas should embody. This is the real worship of the Tathagata, the genuine reverence for the Law. No offering of flowers, incense, wreaths, ointments, powders, cloths, umbrellas, flags, or banners can compare. No material gifts or even the most precious sandalwood can equal this act. This, noble seeker, is the highest gift, greater than giving up a kingdom, beloved children, or a spouse. Sacrificing one’s body is the most distinguished, the finest, the ultimate worship of the Law.”

With these words, Understanding-the-Essence–of–the-Star’s-Radiance, those Lords Buddhas fell silent.

The body of One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love continued to blaze for twelve thousand years, never ceasing to burn. After those twelve thousand years, the fire was extinguished. Then, Understanding-the-Essence–of–the-Star’s-Radiance, One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love, having offered such profound homage to the Tathagata, disappeared from that place.

He reappeared under the spiritual reign of that very Lord, Radiance-of-the-Moon’s-Pure-Light, the Enlightened One, in the house of King Vimaladatta (Immaculate Gift), by miraculous birth, and sitting cross-legged. Immediately after appearing, One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love addressed his father and mother in the following verses:

O exalted king, behold my path,
In meditation’s glow, I found my wrath;
A hero’s feat, in courage, I did body,
My flesh I gave, my vow fulfilled with sturdy.

After speaking these words, Understanding-the-Essence-of-the-Star’s-Radiance, One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love said to his father and mother, “Even now, father and mother, the Enlightened One known as Radiance-of-the-Moon’s-Pure-Light is still alive and present in this world. By honoring him, I have obtained the spell of understanding all sounds and the profound teaching of the Lotus of the True Law, encompassing many verses. Therefore, I wish to return to him and offer my worship.”

Instantly, Understanding-the-Essence-of-the-Star’s-Radiance, One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love rose high into the sky, sitting cross-legged atop a magnificent tower of seven precious substances. In this way, he journeyed to the presence of the Enlightened One and, with great respect, bowed to him, circled him seven times, raised his hands in homage, and recited the following verses:

O thou of face so pure, so bright,
O king and sage, a wondrous light!

Thy sparkle reaches far and wide,
Ancient homage to thee I can’t hide.

O Sugata, again I’ve come to see,
Your presence, Lord, a marvel to me.

Having pronounced this verse, One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love said to the Enlightened One, Radiance-of-the-Moon’s-Pure-Light, “Are you still alive, Lord?” Whereon Radiance-of-the-Moon’s-Pure-Light, the Tathagata, replied, “The time of my final extinction, young man of good family, has arrived; the time of my death has come. Therefore, young man of good family, prepare my couch; I will enter complete extinction.”

Then, Understanding-the-Essence-of-the-Star’s-Radiance, Radiance-of-the-Moon’s-Pure-Light said to One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love, “I entrust to you, young man of good family, my commandment; I entrust to you these Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas, these great disciples, this Buddha-enlightenment, this world, these jewel cars, these jewel trees, and these angels, my servitors. I entrust to you also, young man of a good family, my relics after my complete extinction. You should worship my relics, young man of good family, distribute them, and build thousands of Stupas.”

And, Understanding-the-Essence-of-the-Star’s-Radiance, after Radiance-of-the-Moon’s-Pure-Light, the Tathagata, had given these instructions to One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love, he, in the last watch of the night, entered absolute final extinction.