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

Source: Chapter 11b of The Great Teachings of The Lotus of the True Law, a Buddhist scripture.

Main Themes:

• The Power of the Lotus Sutra: The Stūpa of Abundant Jewels appears wherever the Lotus Sutra is preached. It is also known as the Lotus of the True Law or the Dharmaparyāya. This emphasizes the Sutra’s significance and its ability to attract enlightened beings.
• The interconnectedness of Buddha-lands: The narrative reveals the existence of countless worlds with their own Buddhas. This highlights the vastness and interconnectedness of the cosmos in Buddhist thought.
• The importance of vows and aspirations: The Stūpa’s appearance is a result of Abundant Jewels’ vow. Abundant Jewels vowed to be present wherever the Lotus Sutra is shared. This underscores the power of vows and aspirations in Buddhism.
• The manifestation of the true form: The Lord has the ability to manifest multiple Buddha images. He unites them with the Stūpa. This emphasizes the concept of emanations. It also highlights the multifaceted nature of enlightenment.

Key Ideas and Facts:

• The Stūpa of Abundant Jewels contains the essence of the Buddha Prabhūtaratna, also known as Abundant Jewels.
• Abundant Jewels vowed to only attain enlightenment after encountering the Lotus Sutra.
• The Stūpa acts as a symbol and a vessel of Abundant Jewels’ eternal truth and wisdom.
• The Stūpa appears when the Lotus Sutra is preached. It serves as a celestial affirmation of the Sutra’s teachings.
• Abundant Jewels vowed for his Stūpa to appear wherever the Lotus Sutra is preached. His true form will be revealed when Buddhas wish to showcase it to seekers.

Important Quotes:

• “May my Stūpa rise wherever the teachings of the Lotus of the True Law are shared across the Buddha-lands in all directions. May it stand in the sky above those gathered to hear these teachings from any Lord Buddha, and may it shout applause, affirming the truth of this profound wisdom.” This quote highlights Abundant Jewels’ vow and the Stūpa’s role.
• “Whenever the Buddhas in other lands preach the profound teachings of the Lotus of the True Law, may this Stūpa, containing my very essence, be present to hear the wisdom. And when those Buddhas wish to reveal my true form to the seekers, may all the representations of the Enlightened Ones, created in different lands and bearing different names, come together with this Stūpa. Together, they shall be opened and displayed to all who seek the truth.’” This quote details Abundant Jewels’ vow and the conditions for the revelation of his true form.

Further Research:

• Identification of the source text and its place within Buddhist literature.
• Exploration of the concept of Stūpas in Buddhism and their significance.
• Deeper understanding of the Lotus Sutra and its key teachings.
• Analysis of the concept of emanations and the multifaceted nature of Buddhahood.