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

The Enlightened One, “The One of Resonant Voice, Bedecked with Stars and Blossoms, Profound in Wisdom,” responded to King Subhavyūha, “You speak the truth, noble king. Those with a foundation of goodness will always find true spiritual companions, no matter where they are born or reborn. Such friends will guide them toward ultimate enlightenment. It’s a noble role, guiding another to meet a Tathāgata.

“Do you see these two young princes?” asked the Enlightened One.

“Yes, Lord, I do,” replied the king.

The Enlightened One continued, “These two will honor countless Tathāgatas, as many as the grains of sand in the Ganges River. They will uphold the teachings of the Lotus of the True Law, out of compassion for those lost in false beliefs, inspiring them to seek the path of righteousness.”

Descending from the sky, King Subhavyūha placed his palms together in reverence and spoke to the Enlightened One, “The One of Resonant Voice, Bedecked with Stars and Blossoms, Profound in Wisdom.” “Please tell me, Lord, what wisdom you possess that makes you so radiant. How is it that the crown of your head shines so brilliantly, your eyes are so clear, and the circle of hair between your brows^⁠ glows like the moon? Your teeth are perfectly aligned and bright, your lips are red like the Bimba fruit, and your eyes are extraordinarily beautiful.”

After lauding the Enlightened One, “The One of Resonant Voice, Bedecked with Stars and Blossoms, Profound in Wisdom,” for his countless virtues, King Subhavyūha addressed him: “Your teachings, O Lord, are invaluable, filled with unimaginable virtues and moral guidelines. From now on, we will no longer be enslaved by our own minds, misled by false doctrines, ruled by impulsiveness, or shackled by negative thoughts. With so many virtues in your teachings, Lord, I wish to remain in your presence.”

After paying their respects to the Enlightened One, “The One of Resonant Voice, Bedecked with Stars and Blossoms, Profound in Wisdom”, King Subhavyūha, and Queen Vimaladattā ascended into the sky. From there, they showered a priceless pearl necklace on the Lord. As it landed on his head, the necklace transformed into a stunning four-columned tower with an image of a Tathāgata seated on a luxurious couch at its summit.

King Subhavyūha marveled, “Such extraordinary qualities must the Enlightened One possess, for this divine image to manifest so resplendently.”

The Lord asked the assembly: “Do you see King Subhavyūha in the sky, declaring his spiritual awakening? In a future life, he will become a Tathāgata named Sālendrarāja^⁠ in a world called Vistīritavati^⁠. He will lead an enormous following of Bodhisattvas and disciples in an era known as AbhyudgatarAga^⁠.”

The Lord continued, revealing the true identities of all present. King Subhavyūha was actually the Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Padmasrī^⁠, and Queen Vimaladattā was Vairokanarasmipratimanditarāja^⁠. Their two sons were none other than the Bodhisattvas Bhaishagyarāja^⁠ and Bhaishagyarājasamudgata^⁠, who had sown the seeds of goodness under countless Buddhas. The Lord concluded that anyone who honors these two Bodhisattvas will be worthy of veneration from all beings, including gods.

As this chapter on ‘Ancient Devotion’ was being shared, the spiritual understanding of eighty-four thousand individuals was purified. Their perception of the teachings became crystal clear and unblemished.