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

“Welling Up from the Ground” is a powerful gospel-blues folk anthem inspired by Chapter Fifteen of the Lotus Sutra—the moment when the earth itself trembles, and countless Bodhisattvas rise from the soil of suffering to bring light to the age of darkness. The song blends sacred soul with modern storytelling, featuring rich harmonies, Hammond organ swells, and a radiant choir that celebrates the truth that salvation doesn’t descend from above—it blossoms from within. This is music for those who’ve walked through fire and found their strength in the ashes. The hero isn’t in the clouds—the hero is in the ground, and the power’s in you now.

[Verse 1]
We gathered in the Ceremony in the Air
From countless other worlds, we traveled there
We saw the suffering in this sahā land
And raised a compassionate and helping hand
We made a vow, “After you’re gone, we will remain
Through the perilous age of sorrow and of pain
We will protect and preach this Sūtra true”
It was the noblest thing that we could do.

[Pre-Chorus]

But the World-Honored One just smiled and shook his head
“Your help is not required here,” he softly said
“Don’t you worry for this world of mine
This world of suffering can heal its own
There’s a seed of power in the sorrow sown.”

[Chorus]
And then the ground began to tremble and to break!
The earth tore open, for this world’s own sake
And from the very soil of suffering and doubt
A million golden heroes started welling out!
And the truth just hit me, like a thunder sound
The greatest hero isn’t from the clouds
The hero is right here, rooted in the ground.
I don’t need a savior; the power’s in me now!

[Verse 2]
More countless than the sands along the Ganges streams
They rose up like the substance of our deepest dreams
With golden bodies, shining with a brilliant light
With all the marks of greatness, shinin’ in the light
Led by Superior Practices, the chief and first
They’d been waiting for the proper time to burst
Not from some distant land, but right beneath our feet
The ones to make this broken, bitter world complete.

[Pre-Chorus]
And the Buddha said, “Behold, these are my sons
The ones I’ve taught since time itself begun
They are my disciples from the remotest past.”
A holy paradox, too deep and vast…

[Chorus]
And the ground began to tremble and to break!
The earth tore open, for this world’s own sake
And from the very soil of suffering and doubt
A million golden heroes started welling out!
And the truth just hit me, like a thunder sound
The greatest hero isn’t from the clouds
The hero is right here, rooted in the ground.
I don’t need a savior; the power’s in me now!

[Bridge]
Even Maitreya, the “Invincible” one
He had to ask, “My Lord, how could this be done?
You’ve only taught for forty-some-odd years
How did you raise this host that calms all fears?”
His question was the key that opened up the door
To make the walls of history and logic fall
This is the mission for this final, broken age
When mappō’s darkness covers up the page
We are the ones who chose to be right here
To transform destiny and conquer every fear.

[Outro / Vamp]
And Nichiren said, “Listen! This is emerging from the earth!”
Every time one person finds their sacred worth
When first one chants, then two, and then a hundred more
This is the army welling up from the planet’s floor!
This is the work we do!
This is our vow!
Transforming the sahā world, right here and now!

[Ad-lib vocals]
We are the ones!
Welling up! Welling up!
From the ground! From the ground!
The power’s in me now!
The hero’s in the ground…

(Music fades)