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

Subject: Analysis of Chapter 23b from “The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law,” by William Altig, focusing on the enlightened being Faltering-Voice.

Summary:

This text details the arrival and teachings of Faltering-Voice, an enlightened being (Bodhisattva), who travels from another realm to the Saha-world to share the wisdom of the Lotus of the True Law. The narrative highlights Faltering-Voice’s extraordinary qualities, his dedication to helping all beings, and his unique method of meditation, “Sarvarûpasandarsana.” The chapter emphasizes the transformative power of enlightenment and its capacity to manifest in diverse forms to reach all individuals.

Key Themes & Ideas:

1. Faltering-Voice’s Extraordinary Arrival:

• Divine Origin: Faltering-Voice comes from a realm adorned with the rays of a universal Buddha, demonstrating his high spiritual status and connection to a lineage of enlightened beings.
• Miraculous Manifestation: His arrival is heralded by the sudden appearance of “eighty-four hundred thousand myriads of splendid lotuses” with “golden stalks, silver leaves, and blossoms the color of rosy lotuses and Butea Frondosa.”
• Physical Radiance: He is described as having “eyes resembled blue lotuses, his body was golden, and he glowed with spiritual grace,” indicating his profound spiritual development.
• Mode of Travel: He travels on a “tower of precious gems,” reinforcing his majestic nature and importance.

1. Purpose of the Journey:

• Learning and Teaching: Faltering-Voice arrives to “pay homage and to learn from the teachings of the Lotus of the True Law.” He also comes to share his own wisdom and teachings.
• Responding to a Call: He is summoned by Lord Treasure Tower, indicating a harmonious connection between realms and a response to a spiritual need in the Saha-world.
• Inquiry and Concern: Faltering-Voice, on behalf of The-One-with-Knowledge-of-the-Blossoming-Lotus-Garland, inquires about the well-being of Buddha’s followers, focusing on their morality and discipline, “Are your followers decent and wise? Are they respectful to their parents, not driven by jealousy or desire? Are they able to resist temptation?” This highlights the importance of ethical conduct for those on a spiritual path.

1. Faltering-Voice’s Past Deeds and Virtues:

• Long Dedication to Past Buddhas: The narrative reveals that he had cultivated his virtues for thousands of years, honouring a past Buddha known as “Meghadundubhisvararâga” or “King of the Drum-Sound of the Clouds.” This highlights the long and arduous process of spiritual development.
• Planting Seeds of Goodness: He is described as having “seen many Buddhas and planted seeds of goodness under them,” underscoring the idea of karmic accumulation and the continuity of spiritual practice across lifetimes.

1. Adaptable Nature of Faltering-Voice:

• Diverse Forms: He is capable of appearing in many forms to reach different beings including, “gods, sovereigns, merchants, villagers, and even supernatural beings…He’s preached as a man, a woman, a monk, a nun, a boy, or a girl.” This emphasizes the flexibility and adaptability of enlightenment.
• Unwavering Wisdom and Magic: Despite changing form, his “wisdom and magic power never decrease,” showing that his true essence remains consistent regardless of outward appearance.
• Universal Reach: He teaches “in worlds as numerous as the sands of the river Ganges,” emphasizing the limitless scope of compassion and enlightened activity.

1. The Meditation of “Sarvarûpasandarsana”:

• Seeing All Forms as They Are: This form of meditation is described as a “realization of seeing all forms ‘as they are.’”
• Perception Without Distortion: It emphasizes “the perception of reality without distortion or personal bias.”
• Engagement without Attachment or Aversion: The meditator is able to “engage with the world without attachment or aversion.”
• Impact: This meditation has “profoundly improved the lives of countless beings.” This highlights its practical application in fostering compassion and wisdom.

Key Quotes:

• On the appearance of the lotuses: “These lotuses were extraordinary, with golden stalks, silver leaves, and blossoms the color of rosy lotuses and Butea Frondosa.”
• On the purpose of Faltering-Voice’s arrival: “They are here to pay homage and to learn from the teachings of the Lotus of the True Law.”
• On Faltering-Voice’s concern: “Are your followers decent and wise? Are they respectful to their parents, not driven by jealousy or desire? Are they able to resist temptation?”
• On his diverse forms: “He shows himself in many forms, such as Brahma, Indra, Shiva⁠, and even a demon or a serpent. He’s preached as a man, a woman, a monk, a nun, a boy, or a girl.”
• On Sarvarûpasandarsana: “a meditation or realization of seeing all forms ‘as they are’…It embodies a profound understanding of this philosophy, emphasizing the perception of reality without distortion or personal bias.”

Conclusion:

This chapter presents Faltering-Voice as a model of enlightened action and wisdom. His journey from a distant realm to the Saha-world emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings and the universal availability of enlightenment. His teachings underscore the importance of practicing ethical conduct, dedicating oneself to spiritual growth, and engaging with the world with compassion and discernment, as exemplified by the practice of “Sarvarûpasandarsana.”

Chapter 23b–In the Realm of Wisdom: Faltering-Voice’s Journey and Teachings