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

Thereupon, Understanding-the-Essence-of-the-Star’s-Radiance^⁠, One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love^⁠, perceiving that Radiance-of-the-Moon’s-Pure-Light^⁠, the Tathagata^⁠, had expired, made a pyre of Uragasara sandal-wood and burnt the body of the Tathagata. When he saw that the body was burnt to ashes and the fire extinct, he took the bones and wept, cried, and lamented.

After having wept, cried, and lamented, Understanding-the-Essence-of-the-Star’s-Radiance, One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love caused to be made eighty-four thousand urns of seven precious substances^⁠, deposed in them the bones of the Tathagata, founded eighty-four thousand Stupas^⁠, reaching in height to the Brahma-world^⁠, adorned with a row of umbrellas, and equipped with silk bands and bells.

After founding those Stupas, he reflected: “I have paid honor to the Tathagata-relics of Radiance-of-the-Moon’s-Pure-Light, but I will pay to those relics a yet loftier and most distinguished honor.” Then, Understanding-the-Essence-of-the-Star’s-Radiance, One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love addressed that entire assembly of Bodhisattvas^⁠, those great disciples, those gods, Nagas^⁠, goblins, Gandharvas^⁠, demons, Garudas^⁠, Kinnaras^⁠, great serpents, men, and beings not human: “Ye all, young men and women of good family, unanimously vow to pay worship to the relics of the Lord.”

Immediately after, Understanding-the-Essence-of-the-Star’s-Radiance, One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love, in presence of those eighty-four thousand Stupas, burnt his own arm which was marked by the one hundred auspicious signs^⁠, and so paid worship to those Stupas containing the relics of the Tathagata, during seventy-two thousand years. And while paying worship, he educated countless hundred thousands of myriads of kotis of disciples from that assembly, in consequence whereof all those Bodhisattvas acquired the Samadhi^⁠ termed Sarvarupasandarsana^⁠.

Then, Understanding-the-Essence-of-the-Star’s-Radiance, the entire assembly of enlightened beings and great disciples, seeing One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love deprived of a limb, wept, with tears in their eyes, saying: “Our master and instructor is now missing one arm!”

But One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love calmed them, saying: “Do not weep, my dear friends, for I have taken the witness of all the Buddhas in the endless universe. By the truth of my word and my devotion, my arm shall be restored, and let the earth shake as a sign, and let the angels shower us with flowers.”

No sooner had he spoken these words, then the whole world shook, and flowers fell from the sky. His arm was restored, showing the immense wisdom and merit of this enlightened being.

You might think that this One-who-Views-All-Beings-with-Love was someone else in that time, but it was the enlightened being Radiance-of-the-Moon’s-Pure-Light. He had accomplished many sacrifices of his body and undertaken many challenges.

If anyone seeking enlightenment burns even a toe or finger at a sacred shrine, they will gain more merit than giving up kingdoms or entire worlds. But even more merit is gained by those who keep even a single verse from the teachings of the Lotus of the True Law. It’s greater than giving away a whole world filled with treasures to all enlightened beings.

Just as the vast ocean surpasses all rivers and ponds, Understanding-the-Essence-of-the-Star’s-Radiance, so does the Teaching of the Lotus of the True Law excel all other teachings of enlightenment. Just as Mount Everest reigns over all mountains, this Teaching stands as a king among spiritual texts.

Just as the moon is the brightest among the stars, this Teaching shines brightest among spiritual guides, even outshining countless moons. Just as the sun dispels the dark, this Teaching clears away the darkness of ignorance.

Just as Zeus is chief among the gods, so this Teaching is the highest of spiritual texts. Just as the great Creator acts as a father to the divine beings, this Teaching nurtures all seekers of truth, guiding both novices and masters.

Just as those on the path to enlightenment outshine the unenlightened, so does the Teaching of the Lotus surpass all others. Those who embrace this supreme guide will surpass others who do not.

Just as an enlightened being is superior to disciples, this Teaching is deemed superior to all other spiritual texts. Just as the Buddha is the supreme guide of all seekers, so this Teaching is a beacon to those striving to reach enlightenment.

This Teaching of the Lotus of the True Law rescues all from fear, and frees from pain. It is a well for the thirsty, a fire for the cold, clothing for the naked, a guide for travelers, a mother to her children, a boat for those crossing, a healer for the sick, a lamp for those in darkness, a jewel for the needy, the ocean for the rivers, a torch to scatter shadows.

This Teaching delivers from all suffering, heals all wounds, frees from life’s entanglements. And whoever learns, writes, or reveres this Teaching, honoring it with flowers, incense, music, flags, lamps burning with fine oils, will gain immeasurable merit, a spiritual wealth beyond even enlightened understanding. Such great reward comes to those who respect and follow this path.

Just as the vast ocean surpasses all springs, streams, and ponds, the teachings of the Lotus of the True Law^⁠ exceed all other scriptures spoken by the Tathagata (Buddha). Like Sumeru, the king of mountains, towering over all hills and peaks, this teaching reigns supreme over all other teachings.

Imagine the moon, shining brightly, ranking first among all stars in the sky. So too does the Lotus of the True Law stand foremost among all teachings. Though it surpasses countless moons, its brilliance is unmatched.

Think of the sun, dispelling the darkest gloom, and you’ll understand how the Lotus of the True Law clears away the dark shadows of unholy deeds. As Indra leads the heavenly gods, and as Brahma^⁠ rules the divine world and acts as a fatherly figure, so does the Lotus of the True Law guide all beings, including disciples and those on the path of enlightenment.

Just as an enlightened person stands above the ordinary, this teaching excels all others. Those who embrace this king of scriptures are considered higher than others who don’t.

Consider the Bodhisattva, superior to all disciples, and you’ll understand how the Lotus of the True Law stands above all other teachings. It’s like the Tathagata, the crowned king of the law, leading those who strive for enlightenment.