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

“The Ballad of Elias Stone” is a bluesy folk tale that explores two paths to the same truth.

It tells the story of Elias, a legendary musician who achieves greatness through twenty years of grueling sacrifice, embodying the belief that enlightenment is earned only through immense struggle. His path is challenged when the conservatory’s Founder makes a radical promise: that the same ultimate prize can be won through a single, fleeting moment of joy.  

This song is a modern parable inspired by a core teaching in the ancient Buddhist text, the Lotus Sutra. It’s a story about the power of sincere faith, the different “skillful means” we use to find our way , and the idea that the seed of greatness, or “Buddha-Nature,” already exists within all of us, waiting for a moment of joy to awaken it.  

Set to a sparse, soulful arrangement of acoustic guitar, harmonica, and a steady foot stomp, this is a story-song for anyone who has ever wondered about the true nature of sacrifice, faith, and the simple, transformative power of joy.

(Song Lyrics)

(Acoustic guitar intro, simple and melancholic)

(Verse 1)

At the Grand Conservatory, up on Harmony Hill

The only road to glory was an iron-clad will

They’d tell you ’bout Elias, a man of grit and bone

Practiced twenty years, son, and slept on cold, hard stone

He played until his fingers bled a symphony of pain 

Just to earn the Maestro’s title, again and again.

(Chorus)

But the Founder came a-callin’, with a whisper soft and low

“Just one moment of joy, son, is all you need to know.

Hear a single sweet phrase from my ‘Unfolding Heart’

And I’ll guarantee your soul, right from the very start.”

(Verse 2)

The students and the masters, they gathered in the hall

Elias stood among ’em, the man who’d gave his all

The Founder looked right at him, the man who’d paid the cost

And spoke about a new path, for all the tired and lost

The crowd began to grumble, “What about the price we paid?”

Was twenty years of sufferin’ a foolish choice he made?

(Chorus)

‘Cause the Founder came a-callin’, with a whisper soft and low

“Just one moment of joy, son, is all you need to know.

Hear a single sweet phrase from my ‘Unfolding Heart’

And I’ll guarantee your soul, right from the very start.”

(Instrumental Break – Harmonica takes a short, soulful solo over the acoustic guitar)

(Bridge)

She said, “Your house is burnin’, but you’re too lost in your games 

So I call you out with promises, I whisper all your names

The struggle was a toy cart, boys, to get you to the door

But the prize was always bigger than what you were fightin’ for

‘Cause the music ain’t somethin’ you build with sweat and tears

It’s a seed inside your own heart, been sleepin’ there for years.” 

(Verse 3)

And Elias, he stood listenin’, the legend carved from strife

Heard about the music that was waitin’ all his life

And a slow smile spread across his face, a crack in weathered ground

He finally understood the truth in that sweet and simple sound

The climb ain’t the reason, it’s always been the view

And the path of joy was standin’ there, shiny, fresh, and new.

(Chorus)

Yeah, the Founder came a-callin’, with a whisper soft and low

“Just one moment of joy, son, is all you need to know.

Hear a single sweet phrase from my ‘Unfolding Heart’

And I’ll guarantee your soul, right from the very start.”

(Outro)

Yeah, guarantee your soul…

Just one moment….