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

This excerpt is from Chapter 10b of “The Great Teachings of The Lotus of the True Law.” It is Volume 2 by William Altig. It focuses on the veneration and respect due to preachers of the Sūtra. It highlights their crucial role in spreading wisdom. They guide individuals towards enlightenment.

Main Themes:

• Reverence for the Preacher: The chapter emphasizes the importance of honoring those who possess the wisdom of the Sūtra. It also highlights the significance of sharing this wisdom. This reverence stems from their role as messengers of the Buddha’s teachings and their compassion in guiding lost souls.
• The Preacher’s Position and Significance: The preacher’s position lends weight to the Sūtra’s message. They are seen as a beacon of light, especially in the “last times,” offering rare and valuable truths.
• The Value of the Sūtra: Hearing the Sūtra even once is considered immensely beneficial, leading to a “wondrous spiritual state.” This highlights the transformative power of the teachings.
• Consequences of Disrespect: Speaking ill of the preacher or harming them is considered a grave sin. This sin exceeds even disrespect towards the author. This underscores the sacredness of their role and the gravity of hindering the dissemination of the Sūtra.

Important Ideas/Facts:

• The preacher is seen as a “seeker of truth, aspiring to be wise.” They are tasked by the Tathāgatas (Buddhas) to share the Sūtra and guide humanity towards enlightenment.
• Specific actions to honor the preacher are outlined: offering flowers, scents, jewels, food, shelter, and robes. These acts demonstrate gratitude and support for their work.
• The merit gained from praising the preacher is significant. It even surpasses praising the author of the text. Greater still is the praise for the preacher: “Honor his wisdom, become a true seeker.”
• Harming the preacher is a greater sin than harming the author: “But harm the guardians of this profound end. It is a greater sin still, a wrong to amend.”

Key Quotes:

• “A messenger of love, a guide to the way, / Sharing the Sūtra, leading souls not astray.”
• “In the last times, he’s seen, wisdom to share, / Offering truths so rare, beyond compare.”
• “Speak ill in my presence, wicked of heart, / Commit a great sin, from truth depart; / But harm the guardians of this profound end, / A greater sin still, a wrong to amend.”
• “But hear this Sūtra once, an advantage so great, / An amazingly wondrous spiritual state.”

Overall: This excerpt paints a vivid picture of the high esteem in which preachers of the Sūtra are held. They are not just teachers but also revered figures entrusted with spreading profound wisdom and guiding others toward spiritual liberation. Their role is vital, especially in challenging times, and harming them is considered a grievous offense.