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

Subject: The transformative power of preserving, teaching, and sharing sacred teachings (Dharmapāryaya) and its manifestation in a person’s senses and influence.

Main Themes:

1. Sensory Transformation through Spiritual Practice: The central theme is the idea that engaging with sacred teachings leads to a profound transformation not only of the individual’s understanding but also their very senses. This is exemplified by the assertion that someone who “preserves, teaches, shares, and writes this Sacred Teaching” will have “a sense of taste with twelve hundred fine qualities of the tongue. All flavors tasted will yield a divine, exquisite pleasure. Even typically unpleasant tastes will transform into heavenly delights on the tongue.” This concept suggests a link between spiritual dedication and a refined, almost supernatural experience of the physical world. It indicates that devotion leads to a perception of reality that is far more enjoyable and harmonious.
2. Charisma and Influence: The text emphasizes that the individual who engages deeply with the sacred teachings develops a remarkable charisma and power to influence others. This person’s preaching will “satisfy all who hear it; they will be content, thoroughly content, and filled with joy.” Their voice will be “sweet, tender, agreeable, and profound… amiable…touching the heart, captivating those who hear it.” The result is universal admiration and a desire to be in their presence and to hear their teachings. The descriptions emphasize not just the content of the teachings, but the manner of delivery and its impact on the listeners’ emotions and perceptions.
3. Universal Reverence and Appeal: The impact of this individual extends far beyond ordinary people. The text outlines a long list of beings, both mundane and divine, who are drawn to this individual and their teachings: “Angels and Houris, the Indras (Heavenly Kings), Brahmas (Great Gods), Brahmakayikas (Inhabitants of the Brahma Worlds), Nagas (Serpent Deities), and Naga Girls…all will desire to see, honor, serve, and hear this person’s teachings.” This universal appeal suggests that the teachings, and the person embodying them, have a resonance that cuts across all levels of existence. It highlights the power of authentic spiritual wisdom to command attention and respect from all beings.
4. Alignment with the Tathagata (Enlightened One): The text links the individual’s effectiveness directly to the teachings of the Tathagata: “So sweet, truthful, and aligned with the teachings of the Tathagata (Enlightened One) will be the words of this preacher.” It implies that the transformation and influence experienced by this person are a result of their deep connection to and reflection of enlightened principles. They are “a worthy vessel for the Buddha’s qualities.”
5. Metaphorical Language of Transformation: The use of language describing the transformation is significant, using words like “divine,” “exquisite,” “heavenly,” and “sublime”. This elevates the subject above the mundane, indicating that the practice not only affects the mind but also the physical and sensory experience, offering a taste of the divine through disciplined engagement with Dharma. The transformation is framed as a total sensory shift, a movement from the common to the extraordinary.

Key Ideas and Facts:

• The Twelve Hundred Qualities of Taste: The statement regarding “twelve hundred fine qualities of the tongue” is a symbolic expression, not a literal count. It underscores the immense refinement and power of the senses transformed through spiritual practice.
• The Power of Voice: The text highlights the transformative power of the preacher’s voice; it is described as “tender,” “sweet,” “deep,” “winning,” and “clear,” and having the ability to “enchant, draw, and bind.” This emphasis points to the importance of not only the content of the teachings but also the vehicle through which they are transmitted.
• The Importance of Service and Reverence: The numerous beings who desire to “see, honor, and serve” the preacher highlight the reciprocal dynamic of respect and gratitude that arises from deep spiritual insight.
• Emperors, deities and ordinary folk are drawn to the teaching: The reach of this individual’s teaching and impact goes through a spectrum of society, from emperors to layfolk as well as across the different planes of existence, highlighting its universality.
• The Buddhas’ Approval and Protection: The final verse states that “the Buddhas, benign, merciful and wise…Protecting him, showing their face in the glow, satisfaction they feel, as they hear him bestow.” This indicates that such dedication to the teaching is rewarded, bringing not only an individual’s own enlightenment but also the protection and support of enlightened beings.

Quotes to Highlight:

• “All flavors tasted will yield a divine, exquisite pleasure. Even typically unpleasant tastes will transform into heavenly delights on the tongue.”
• “A sweet, tender, agreeable, and profound voice will emanate from this person, an amiable voice that touches the heart, captivating those who hear it.”
• ”So sweet, truthful, and aligned with the teachings of the Tathagata (Enlightened One) will be the words of this preacher.”
• “His teachings profound, they ardently save.”

Conclusion:

This excerpt from “Pasted Text” presents a vision of spiritual practice that leads to a complete transformation of the individual, manifesting in refined senses, powerful influence, and universal reverence. It emphasizes the transformative power of Dharma and the potential for those who truly embody its teachings to impact not only human beings but beings throughout the cosmos. The text ultimately suggests that engaging with sacred teaching is not simply an intellectual pursuit but a path to experience the divine in oneself and the world.

Chapter 19–Tasting the Divine