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

Subject: Samantabhadra’s promise of protection and empowerment to those who teach the Lotus Sutra, especially during difficult times.

Source: Excerpts from “The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law, By William Altig, Chapter 27b – Empowerment through the Spells of Samantabhadra.

Main Themes:

• Protection and Encouragement for Teachers of the Lotus Sutra: The central theme is Samantabhadra’s commitment to support and protect those who actively teach the Lotus Sutra, particularly during “challenging times.”
• Divine Intervention and Appearance: Samantabhadra promises a physical manifestation, arriving on a six-tusked white elephant accompanied by Bodhisattvas. This is presented as a powerful, morale-boosting event.
• Spells as a Form of Protection: Samantabhadra provides specific spells designed to shield teachers from harm, including protection against deception. These spells are presented as powerful tools (“like unlocking special features in a video game”).
• Invincibility and Empowerment: The spells are not just defensive but also empowering. They provide a form of invincibility against threats, both human and otherwise.

Key Ideas and Facts:

• Samantabhadra’s Promise: Samantabhadra promises to appear on the 21st day after a teacher of the Lotus Sutra has been spreading wisdom for three weeks. He states, “That’s when I’ll make a special appearance to boost your morale. I’ll be there like a motivational speaker to energize a worn-out team.”
• The Appearance: Samantabhadra’s arrival is described in detail: “I’ll come riding the same six-tusked white elephant, backed by a crew of Bodhisattvas. It’ll be like a superhero team arriving just in time.”
• Specific Spells: The document includes a series of spells, presented as powerful words with specific meanings, such as:
• “Adande, Lord of Justice, hear my plea”
• “Dandāvartani, turn the wheel, set all free.”
• “Sudhārapati, carry the nectar, like a bee.”
• “Simhavikrīdite, lion’s play, let it be.”
• The Spells’ Purpose: The spells are presented as providing specific protections and capabilities, like breaking disharmony (“Sanghanirghātani, break disharmony”) or scrutinizing unity (“Sanghaparīkshite, scrutinize unity”).
• Divine Oversight: Samantabhadra emphasizes that these spells are a sign of his watchfulness and protection: “If you hear these words, know they come from me, and I’m watching over you.”

Quotes:

• “Again, anyone—be it monks, nuns, or laypeople—teaching the Lotus Sutra in challenging times, listen up. If you’re out walking and spreading the wisdom for three weeks, mark the 21st day on your calendar. That’s when I’ll make a special appearance to boost your morale.”
• “I’ll give you special protective spells, making you invincible against any threats—human or otherwise. Even deceptive people won’t be able to trick you.”
• “These are powerful words of protection, like unlocking special features in a video game.”

Significance:

This excerpt highlights the importance of teaching the Lotus Sutra, particularly in challenging environments, and the belief in divine protection and empowerment for those who dedicate themselves to this task. The spells provide a tangible and repeatable mechanism for invoking this protection and empowerment. The imagery and analogies used (superhero team, video game features) make these concepts more accessible and engaging for a modern audience.

Chapter 27b–Empowerment through the Spells of Samantabhadra