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

After their celestial performance, the young princes Vimalagarbha^⁠ and Vimalanetra^⁠ descended from the sky and went to their mother. Hands clasped together, they said, “Mom, we’ve opened our father’s eyes to higher wisdom. We’ve been his spiritual guides. Now it’s time for us to fully embrace our spiritual calling in the presence of the Enlightened One.”

On that day, the two young princes, Vimalagarbha and Vimalanetra, turned to their mother and spoke these two poetic verses:

“Mother, grant us leave to seek,
A path where worldly ties are weak.

Let us roam where saints have trod,
For rare’s the chance to glimpse a god.”

“Just as blooms that seldom flower,
So is this, the sacred hour.

Let us leave, our fates unspun,
For moments like this are rare as one.”

Queen Vimaladattā^⁠ replied, “Go, my children, you have my blessing. I, too, will take this opportunity to embrace a spiritual life, for meeting a Tathāgata^⁠ is a rare and precious event.”

Having said this, the young princes turned to both their parents and implored, “Mom, Dad, come with us to meet the Enlightened One, “The One of Resonant Voice, Bedecked with Stars and Blossoms, Profound in Wisdom^⁠.” Such an encounter is as rare as the blooming of a unique fig tree or a tortoise threading its neck through a yoke in the vast ocean. We are fortunate to be born during the lifetime of such a spiritual leader. Let’s not miss this rare chance to receive his teachings.”

At this pivotal moment, the eighty-four thousand women of King Subhavyūha’s^⁠ court also felt the pull of the Lotus of the True Law^⁠. The young prince Vimalanetra^⁠ was deeply engaged in these teachings. Meanwhile, his brother Vimalagarbha^⁠ had been practicing a meditation called Sarvasattvapapagahana^⁠ ( meaning ‘Elimination of All Beings’ Evils’) for countless eons, to help all beings abandon evil.

Queen Vimaladattā^⁠ recognized the universal truths shared by all Buddhas. Fully converted to the spiritual teachings by their sons, King Subhavyūha, Queen Vimaladattā, their family, and a vast entourage of forty-two thousand people, including the women of the court and ministers, set out to meet the Enlightened One, “The One of Resonant Voice, Bedecked with Stars and Blossoms, Profound in Wisdom^⁠.”

Upon reaching the Enlightened One, they bowed at his feet, circled him three times in a show of respect, and then stood at a distance.

When King Subhavyūha and his entourage arrived, the Enlightened One, “The One of Resonant Voice, Bedecked with Stars and Blossoms, Profound in Wisdom”, uplifted them with a powerful sermon. So moved was the king that he transferred his crown to his younger brother, making him the new ruler. Then the king, his family, Queen Vimaladattā, and their entire retinue of forty-two thousand people decided to renounce worldly life.

For eighty-four thousand years, King Subhavyūha and his followers delved deep into the teachings of the Lotus of the True Law. The king attained a meditation called Sarvagunālankāravyūha (meaning ‘Array of All Virtuous Qualities’)^⁠. Elevated in his newfound spiritual state, he floated seven Tāls^⁠ high in the sky and expressed gratitude to the Enlightened One. “My two sons are my true masters,” the king proclaimed, “for their miraculous abilities led me from a life of delusion to one of spiritual enlightenment. They are my greatest blessings, reminding me of my own latent goodness.”