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

Source: Excerpts from “The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law” by William Altig, Chapter 20b – Verses of Enlightenment from the Lotus Sutra.

Main Theme: The excerpt focuses on the power and importance of the Lotus Sutra as a vehicle for attaining enlightenment, emphasizing its rarity, the transformative effect of its teachings, and the responsibility of its followers to propagate it. It highlights the story of the Bodhisattva Sadaparibhuta as an example of someone who embodies the sutra’s principles.

Key Ideas and Facts:

1. The Story of Sadaparibhuta:

• The passage recounts the story of a Bodhisattva named Sadaparibhuta (“Never Disparaging”) who lived during a time of declining truth.
• Despite facing doubt and scorn, Sadaparibhuta’s core practice was to declare to everyone he met, “I’ll never despise you, though you stray, enlightenment is your destined way.”
• This act of unwavering respect for the inherent potential of all beings is a central theme. As the excerpt states, “To those who doubted, filled with scorn, he’d say: ‘Your path is brightly adorned, I’ll never despise you, though you stray, enlightenment is your destined way.’”
• Sadaparibhuta’s dedication to this practice, even in the face of taunts, enabled him to live a long life and further the Lotus Sutra teachings. “Death approached, taunts he faced, in this Sutra, truth embraced, The sage lived on, with life prolonged, this sacred Sutra he passed along.”

1. The Lotus Sutra as a Source of Enlightenment:

• The passage emphasizes that the teachings of the Lotus Sutra are what sustained Sadaparibhuta and ultimately allowed him to guide others toward enlightenment.
• The Sutra is described as a “sacred Sutra” that has the power to lead people away from “perception’s snare” and into “enlightenment’s embrace.” The metaphor of “perception’s snare” suggests that attachment to how we see the world is a source of suffering, and the Sutra is a method to escape this trap.
• Through his actions, it is clear that Sadaparibhuta’s life and work exemplifies the power of the sutra.

1. Śākyamuni’s Enlightenment and the Lotus Sutra:

• The excerpt also states that Śākyamuni, the historical Buddha, chose to pursue his path to enlightenment based on the teachings embodied by the Lotus Sutra. He states, “Through his deeds, this Sutra’s voice, I, Śākyamuni, made my choice, Enlightenment I found, and here, before me now, the truth is clear.”
• This ties Śākyamuni’s own experience to the power of the sutra. He recognizes the sutra’s role in his enlightenment, solidifying its importance and authority.
• The Sutra is presented as the foundation of his enlightenment and the basis for the teachings he is sharing with those in attendance.

1. The Importance of Sharing the Sutra:

• The text suggests that those who have heard and understood the Lotus Sutra have a responsibility to propagate it.
• The phrase “They’ll keep this Sutra, let it shine, a beacon of wisdom through all time” indicates the significance of continuing the lineage and preserving the teachings.
• The rarity of the Lotus Sutra is highlighted: “Not once in ages without end has such a Sutra found a friend, Hundreds of Buddhas have come and gone, but these words they’ve not spoken upon.” This emphasizes the critical importance of promoting the Sutra to future generations.
• The last words of the passage emphasize the urgency and duty of those who have encountered this sutra, when the Buddha says, “Promote this Sutra when I’m gone, let wisdom’s melody play on.”

1. Transformative Power of the Lotus Sutra:

• The excerpt states that the individuals present, once “trapped in what they saw,” have now “seen many Buddhas across the land.” This suggests a significant transformation has occurred through their engagement with the Lotus Sutra.
• The Sutra has the power to lead people from a state of delusion to one of profound understanding, seeing the world from a place of greater wisdom. The sutra allows them to see many Buddhas.
• This also highlights the idea of the student becoming teachers, with the text saying “I’ve led them to ripeness full, after me, they’ll guide with wisdom’s pull.” Those who have learned will become the teachers.

Overall Significance:

The passage presents the Lotus Sutra as an exceptional teaching that is exceedingly rare, holding immense power to guide individuals toward enlightenment. The story of Sadaparibhuta provides a tangible example of the Sutra’s teachings being put into practice, particularly in relation to recognizing the Buddha nature in all beings, despite surface appearances. Ultimately, the text calls upon the listener/reader to recognize the profound value of the Sutra and to share it with the world.

Chapter 20–Verses of Enlightenment from the Lotus Sutra