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

This document analyzes an excerpt from Chapter 7k, titled “Journey of Devotion: A Visual Exploration.” The passage discusses the arrival of the Lord Mahabhignagnanabhibhu (Great-Knowledge-and-Dominance). Then, it describes the pleas for him to preach the law.

Key Themes:

• Cosmic Reverence: The excerpt highlights the universe’s vast scale. It also describes the reverence the Brahma angels show towards Mahabhignagnanabhibhu. They gather from “fifty hundred thousand myriads of universes,” offering gifts and poetic praise.
• Darkness Before Enlightenment: The world, prior to Mahabhignagnanabhibhu’s arrival, is depicted as suffering in darkness and ignorance. People are lost, trapped in cycles of rebirth and suffering. The absence of the Buddha’s teachings results in a world “wrapped in shadow’s embrace.”
• Redemption through the Buddha: Mahabhignagnanabhibhu is portrayed as the savior, bringing light and hope to the world. His arrival is met with immense joy and gratitude. The Brahma angels and monks implore him to “move forward the wheel of the law.” They urge him to preach the path to liberation.
• Universal Compassion: The plea for Mahabhignagnanabhibhu to preach the law extends to all beings, not just humans. The request explicitly mentions “gods, Māras, and Brahma angels; to all people, including ascetics and Brahmans, gods, men, and demons!” This emphasizes the universal nature of the Buddha’s compassion.

Important Ideas and Facts:

• Mahabhignagnanabhibhu’s significance: The title “Great-Knowledge-and-Dominance” suggests the immense power and wisdom embodied by this Buddha.
• The power of the Buddha’s teachings: The passage emphasizes the transformative potential of the Buddha’s teachings. They are capable of leading beings out of suffering and towards enlightenment.
• The universality of suffering: The excerpt paints a bleak picture of the world without the Buddha’s teachings. It highlights the pervasiveness of suffering across different realms of existence.

Key Quotes:

• Inconceivable eons were void and dark. No Gina’s light was there to leave a mark. The world was wrapped in shadow’s embrace. It waited for wisdom and Buddha’s grace. – This quote emphasizes the darkness and despair that pervades the world before the arrival of the Buddha.
• “Hail! O Light of the world, at last, you’ve come. You are the bounteous being and wisdom’s sum. The world thanks you, gods above, for your enlightenment, peace, and love.” – This quote demonstrates the overwhelming joy and relief felt upon the Buddha’s arrival.
• “May the Lord move forward the wheel of the law! May the Lord preach final rest! May the Lord release all beings!” – This quote reveals the fervent desire for the Buddha to share his teachings and liberate beings from suffering.

Overall:

This passage is a powerful depiction of the Buddha’s arrival and the hope he brings to a suffering world. It highlights the importance of his teachings in guiding beings towards enlightenment and emphasizes the universal nature of his compassion.