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

“The Unhidden Light” is a soulful acoustic Folk-Blues track inspired by the profound promise at the heart of the Lotus Sūtra: the Buddha’s universal vow to lead every living being to the same enlightenment he attained.

Set to a warm, rhythmic arrangement, this song serves as a powerful reminder that the ultimate truth is an open secret. The lyrics confront the isolating “knowledge that separates” and affirm the wisdom that unites, urging the listener to recognize the unhidden potential—the light of Buddhahood—that flows in everyone.

This is a story of compassion, an intimate contemplation on the shared spiritual journey, and a joyful rejection of the idea that enlightenment is exclusive or distant. Let the music guide you from the loneliness of the “hungry wheel” to the peace of the “Lotus blooms.”

#FolkBlues #SpiritualFolk #Acoustic #Wisdom #Compassion #LotusSutra #BuddhaDharma #Enlightenment #Storyteller #UniversalVow

Lyrics

(Verse 1) 

(A minor) 

A high, strong vow was spoken on the peak of truth, 

Not just for ages gone or some long-lost youth. 

It’s written on the ledger of every livin’ soul, 

A deep conviction pointing toward the ultimate goal. 

He said, “The very light I shine, my friend, that light is yours.” 

No hidden chamber, no back way, no locked or bolted doors.

(Chorus) 

(C major – G major – A minor) 

Oh, the Buddha holds nothin’ back from you and me, 

No secret code, no special mystery. 

His wisdom is a river, his truth is plain to see, 

‘Cause the potential that he found is flowin’ in you and me. 

He said, “I’ll cause all livin’ beings to attain the very thing 

The same enlightenment that I am here to bring.”

(Verse 2) 

(A minor) 

You see the world’s knowledge, it turns a hungry wheel, 

A cold, sharp blade of intellect designed to peel 

Our lives to pieces, markin’ where we stop and where we start, 

Tearin’ “me” from “you,” keepin’ our fearful selves apart. 

That’s the knowledge that separates, friend, that builds the lonely wall, 

Waitin’ on the fear and judgment to make us rise or fall.

(Chorus) 

(C major – G major – A minor) 

But the Buddha holds nothin’ back from you and me, 

No secret code, no special mystery. 

His wisdom is a river, his truth is plain to see, 

‘Cause the potential that he found is flowin’ in you and me. 

He said, “I’ll cause all livin’ beings to attain the very thing 

The same enlightenment that I am here to bring.”

(Bridge) 

(F major – C major – G major – A minor) 

But look close, look deep, where the Lotus blooms in mud, 

There’s a wisdom that refuses to be bought with flesh and blood. 

It sees your face in mine, it sees the same spark burn, 

A unifying fire, where all our lessons turn. 

No threat to his great glory, no fear that we’ll ascend, 

‘Cause the light is for the many, and the journey has no end.

(Outro – Slowing Tempo) 

(A minor fading out) 

Yeah, the same enlightenment… 

That which unites us, brother… 

The unhidden light… 

Flowin’ in you and me…