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

Source: Chapter 14f – The Pure Intent of the Wise Preacher, an excerpt from “The Great Teachings of The Lotus of the True Law” by William Altig.

Main Themes:

• Qualities of a Wise Preacher: The passage outlines the essential characteristics of a wise preacher in the Buddhist tradition. These include:
• Purity of Intent: Free from falsehood, pride, envy, calumny, and malice.
• Humility and Truth: Dedicated to a path of truth and humility.
• Avoiding Judgment: Refraining from disparaging words, disputes, and accusations of ignorance.
• Inclusivity: Embracing and enlightening all beings.
• Compassion and Forbearance: Exhibiting sincerity, mildness, and patience.
• Respect for Teachers: Recognizing and honoring Bodhisattvas and Buddhas as guides and sources of wisdom.
• Striving for Peace: Dedicating their life to peace and enlightenment.
• Impact of the Wise Preacher: The text emphasizes the positive influence of such a preacher:
• Guiding with Love: They act as compassionate guides, sharing wisdom and illuminating the path for others.
• Protection and Support: The passage suggests that their pure intentions and actions attract protection and support from divine beings (“Kotis of beings protect them with light”).

Key Quotes:

• “The wise one, the preacher, with intent so pure, Renounces falsehood, pride, envy for sure, Calumny and malice, they set aside, On a path of truth and humility, they abide.”
• “No disparaging words do they ever speak, No disputes on belief, no fault to seek, “You lack knowledge,” they never say, Embracing all, they light the way.”
• “Bodhisattvas in space, compassionate guides, Moving in the world, wisdom resides, They are my teachers,” the wise one reflects, Respecting them as masters, a path correct.”
• “The wise one who’s heard this law so divine, Observing it constantly, in earnest they shine, Striving for peace, a life so bright, Kotis of beings protect them with light.”

Important Points:

• This excerpt presents a clear picture of the ideal Buddhist preacher.
• The emphasis on inner qualities suggests that the preacher’s effectiveness stems not just from knowledge but from their character and actions.
• The passage implies that embodying these qualities leads to not only personal enlightenment but also a positive impact on the world, attracting protection and support from higher forces.