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,” Chapter 28 – The Entrustment of Universal Wisdom, by William Altig.

Subject: Key themes and ideas regarding the transmission of enlightenment.

Overview: This document analyzes an excerpt from Chapter 28 of William Altig’s translation of the Lotus Sutra, focusing on Shakyamuni Buddha’s entrustment of his wisdom to aspiring spiritual leaders. The passage emphasizes the importance of disseminating enlightenment for the benefit of all beings and highlights the responsibility placed upon the disciples.

Main Themes and Important Ideas:

• Entrustment of Enlightenment: The central theme revolves around Shakyamuni Buddha entrusting his hard-earned enlightenment and wisdom to a group of “young people from honorable families.” This act signifies a deliberate and conscious transmission of knowledge and a call to action. “I entrust to you, young people from honorable families, the supreme wisdom and enlightenment I have reached after countless eons of unmeasurable time.”
• The Value and Scarcity of Enlightenment: The passage emphasizes the immense effort required to achieve enlightenment, highlighting its profound value. This underscores the importance of the disciples’ commitment. Shakyamuni states it’s “a perfect understanding that took unimaginable effort to attain.“
• Responsibility and Duty: The acceptance of this entrustment comes with a significant responsibility to nurture, share, and spread this wisdom. The disciples are not merely recipients, but active participants in the propagation of enlightenment. “Accept it, care for it, study it, understand it, teach it, share it, and preach it to all beings.”
• Unconditional Sharing and Compassion: Shakyamuni models the act of freely sharing knowledge without clinging to it. He encourages his disciples to do the same, spreading wisdom with “skill and compassion,” even to those who are “skeptical or resistant.”
• Honoring the Enlightened Path: By actively sharing and spreading wisdom, the disciples honor their commitment to the enlightened path and fulfill their duty to the wisdom of all Buddhas. “By doing so, you honor your commitment to the enlightened path and fulfill your duty to the eternal wisdom of the Buddhas.”
• Unity and Resolve: The spiritual leaders respond with unified agreement, vowing to carry out the wishes of the enlightened one, showing their deep respect and resolve. “We will do as you ask, O enlightened one. We will carry out the wishes of all the enlightened teachers. Rest assured, and be at peace with this.”
• Universal Audience: The scene is set within a grand gathering that includes not only close disciples but also enlightened beings from other worlds, deities, humans, and mythical beings. This highlights the universal scope and relevance of the teachings.

Key Facts:

• The passage depicts Shakyamuni Buddha as the enlightened teacher.
• The recipients of the entrustment are “young people from honorable families,” acting as spiritual leaders.
• The setting involves a large assembly including enlightened beings from various worlds, spiritual leaders, and diverse beings (gods, humans, etc.).
• The Stupa dedicated to Prabhutaratna, another revered enlightened being, is present and blessed.
• The main spiritual leader referenced other than Shakyamuni is Visishtakaritra.

Potential Implications:

• This excerpt provides insight into the process of transmitting spiritual wisdom and the importance of actively engaging in the dissemination of enlightenment.
• The passage highlights the responsibility that comes with receiving profound knowledge and the commitment required to effectively share it with others.
• The universal nature of the audience underscores the message that enlightenment is accessible and relevant to all beings.

Conclusion:

This excerpt from the Lotus Sutra emphasizes the profound responsibility of sharing enlightenment and wisdom for the benefit of all. The image of Shakyamuni entrusting his knowledge to future leaders encapsulates the spirit of compassion and dedication required to propagate the teachings and support the enlightenment of others.

Chapter 28 The Entrustment of Universal Wisdom