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

Main Themes:

• Redemption: Even Devadatta, known in Buddhist tradition for his betrayal of the Buddha, has the potential for enlightenment.
• Universality of Buddha-nature: The text emphasizes that anyone, even those who have committed grave errors, can achieve enlightenment.
• Power of the Lotus Sutra: Belief and understanding of the Lotus Sutra leads to liberation and positive rebirths.
• Generosity of the Buddha: The Buddha shares his own merits and past connection with Devadatta, emphasizing his compassion and desire for the liberation of all beings.

Important Ideas and Facts:

• Devadatta’s past role: Devadatta, in a previous life, was a king who helped the Buddha (then a Bodhisattva) achieve the six perfections.
• Devadatta’s future Buddhahood: Devadatta will become the Buddha Devarāja in a future world called Stairs of the Gods. He will preach the Dharma and lead countless beings to enlightenment.
• Longevity of Devarāja’s teachings: His teachings will last for 20 intermediate kalpas, and his physical body will remain intact in a magnificent stupa.
• Benefits of venerating Devarāja’s stupa: Those who honor the stupa will achieve various levels of enlightenment.
• Benefits of believing in this chapter of the Lotus Sutra: Those who hear and believe in this chapter will be freed from doubt, reborn in favorable realms, and eventually achieve enlightenment.

Key Quotes:

• Past connection: “In fact, monks, Devadatta was my good friend. With Devadatta’s help, I was able to achieve the six perfect virtues (Pāramitās)…”
• Future enlightenment: “This Devadatta, the monk, will become a Tathāgata named Devarāja (meaning “King of the Gods”), an enlightened being…”
• Impact of teachings: “He will preach the law extensively, and beings as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River will abandon evil and attain enlightenment through him.”
• Power of the Lotus Sutra: “Whoever in the future, whether young men or young women of good character, hears this chapter from the Lotus Sutra, and believes in its teachings, will be freed from uncertainty and doubt… they will magically appear on a lotus flower made of precious jewels, coming face-to-face with the Enlightened One.”

Analysis:

This chapter of the Lotus Sutra offers a powerful message of hope and possibility. It challenges traditional views of Devadatta as a villain by highlighting his potential for enlightenment. By sharing this teaching, the Buddha emphasizes that no being is inherently evil and that all have the capacity to achieve liberation. The text also underscores the transformative power of the Lotus Sutra, promising immense benefits to those who hear and believe in its message.