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

The Threefold Lotus Sutra is composed of the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra, the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law, and the Meditation on the Bodhisattva Universal Virtue. The Immeasurable Meanings Sutra is considered as the first sutra in the Threefold Lotus Sutra, it is considered to be an expanded version of the Lotus Sutra and it’s…

In Buddhist cosmology, a “Wheel turning king” or “Wheel turning monarch” is a type of ruler who is said to possess the power to rule over the four continents of the world, using the “Wheel of the Law” (the Dharma) to govern his kingdom. The “Wheel of the Law” is a metaphor for the teachings…

In chapter one of the Lotus Sutra, Manjushri describes, once in a remote past, immeasurably boundless and inconceivable asamkhya kalpas ago, a Buddha named Sun Moon Lantern Bright Tathagata, Worthy of Offerings, Perfect in True Wisdom and Enlightenment, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Liberated, the Omniscient, the Almighty, Master Trainer, Teacher of Heavenly Gods and…

The Buddha emitted a ray of light from the tuft of white hair between his eyebrows, which illuminated the 18,000 worlds in the east. This light was able to penetrate down to the lowest realms of existence, such as the Avichi hell, and up to the highest realms, such as the Akanishtha heaven. This means…

King Ajatashatru is a historical figure in Buddhism who is said to have lived in ancient India during the time of the Buddha. He is known for being the son of King Bimbisara, the ruler of the powerful kingdom of Magadha. According to Buddhist texts, Ajatashatru was initially a devoted follower of the Buddha and…

In Hindu and Buddhist mythology, Garudas are a class of powerful and majestic birds that are said to possess the ability to fly, and are often depicted as large birds with a human-like form. They are considered as a protector and enemy of the nagas (snakes), and are said to be engaged in a constant…

In Hindu and Buddhist mythology, Asuras are a class of powerful, malevolent and demon-like beings. They are considered as a rival and enemy of the gods, and are said to be engaged in a constant struggle against the gods for supremacy. Asuras are often depicted as having a human-like form with a fierce and aggressive…

Gandharvas are celestial beings in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. They are usually depicted as musicians, dancers and celestial attendants of the god Indra and are known for their beauty and musical talents. They are also believed to be powerful protectors of the Buddhist teachings and practitioners. The Four Gandharva Kings mentioned in the first chapter…

Kimnaras are celestial beings in Buddhist mythology, who are said to possess supernatural powers and are protectors of the Buddhist teachings and practitioners. They are described as having a close relationship with the Buddha and are considered as powerful allies in spreading the Buddhist teachings. They are usually depicted with a human-like form, but with…

Dragons, also known as Nāgas in Sanskrit and Rakshasas in Pali, are supernatural serpentine creatures in Buddhist cosmology. They are often depicted as having great strength and power, and are said to live in the ocean or underground. They are often associated with wealth and treasure, and are said to guard these treasures. In Buddhism,…