Dive into a unique and soulful exploration of the Lotus Sutra through the timeless blend of Blues and Folk music. This album takes you on a spiritual journey, transforming the profound teachings of the Lotus Sutra into powerful melodies and heartfelt rhythms. Each track captures the essence of the sutra’s wisdom, compassion, and enlightenment, brought to life by the rich sounds of choir voices, guitar, piano, fiddle, stand-up bass, and drums.

Experience the universal truths of the Buddha’s teachings like never before, as they resonate through the bluesy tones and folk harmonies that echo across time and space. This is more than an album; it’s a journey of the spirit, a celebration of the ancient wisdom that continues to guide and inspire.

The William Altig Choir: A collection of amazingly talented singers with musical accompaniment, brought to life through the cutting-edge technology of Suno AI language models.

Lyrics: 

The Universe Gathers

[Intro]

((Verse 1)
On Vulture Peak, where the winds do call,
The Buddha sat with his chosen all,
Twelve hundred Arhats, pure and wise,
Freed from the world, with opened eyes.

(Chorus)
Oh, the mountains hum with a sacred sound,
Wisdom and compassion all around,
From realms afar, they gathered near,
To hear the words that brought us clear.

(Verse 2)
Śāriputra, with a mind so bright,
Maudgalyāyana, in the mystic night,
Kāśyapa, strong and true,
Each with a heart that's shining new.

(Chorus)
Oh, the mountains hum with a sacred sound,
Wisdom and compassion all around,
From realms afar, they gathered near,
To hear the words that brought us clear.

[Instrumental]

(Bridge)
In the blues of the night, the stars align,
Hearts awaken, and spirits find,
In the echoes of truth, we all unite,
Under the moon's soft silver light.

(Verse 3)
Then came the Bodhisattvas, kind and strong,
Mañjuśrī’s wisdom led them along,
Avalokiteśvara, with Compassion’s hand,
Guided all to the promised land.

(Chorus)
Oh, the mountains hum with a sacred sound,
Wisdom and compassion all around,
From realms afar, they gathered near,
To hear the words that brought us clear.

(Verse 4)
The Nāgas, the Devas, the Asuras too,
All stood in awe as the teaching grew,
From every realm, they bowed in grace,
Seeking truth in the Buddha’s face.

(Chorus)
Oh, the mountains hum with a sacred sound,
Wisdom and compassion all around,
From realms afar, they gathered near,
To hear the words that brought us clear.

(Outro)
So let us gather, hearts in tune,
Under the light of the Buddha’s moon,
In the blues of life, we find our way,
Guided by the words of the Buddha’s day.

The Universe Gathers

The Buddha Never Truly Goes

"The Buddha Never Truly Goes" is a heartfelt ballad that bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary introspection. Through lyrical storytelling and a soulful, blues-infused melody, this song challenges the conventional view of the Buddha's passing, presenting it instead as a profound teaching on omnipresence and inner awakening.

The verses, rich with parables, guide the listener to understand that the Buddha's essence is not confined to a single lifetime or physical form. Instead, it is a timeless and ever-present force found in the natural world, in moments of quiet reflection, and, most importantly, within ourselves. This is a song of encouragement for anyone feeling lost or seeking guidance, reminding them that the path to enlightenment is an internal journey.

It's a perfect blend of poignant lyrics and melancholic yet hopeful music, reflecting a sound that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. This track is for seekers and spiritualists, for those who appreciate music as a vehicle for wisdom, compassion, and personal growth. Let the "Lotus Light" guide you.

Lyrics: 
(Verse 1)
They tell of Buddha’s final breath, and thought his work was through, A fading sun that left the earth, with nothing left to do. But the Master taught a deeper truth, to one who listened near, That worldly death was just a show, to conquer doubt and fear.

(Chorus)
'Cause the Buddha never truly goes, his home is everywhere, He's in the wind, a river's flow, a silent, humble prayer. So when your heart is dark with doubt, and you're lost upon the road, Just hear his voice, a silent sound, and lift that heavy load.

(Verse 2) 
Some folks get too comfortable, when they think the truth is free, If the Master’s always standing by, then where's the urgency? So he plays a trick, a clever means, a lesson sharp and grand, To make us hungry for his presence, while he guides a waking land.

(Chorus) 
'Cause the Buddha never truly goes, his home is everywhere, He's in the wind, a river's flow, a silent, humble prayer. So when your heart is dark with doubt, and you're lost upon the road, Just hear his voice, a silent sound, and lift that heavy load.

(Bridge) 
Maitreya, with an open heart, a timeless truth you'll see, I’ve walked this long, long path with you, and my light has set you free. And all who hear this lesson's sound, and hold it to their core, Will be a light for all the world, and shine forevermore.

(Guitar Solo - Melancholic but hopeful blues)

(Verse 3) 
Don't need a temple, don't need a shrine, don't need to count the years Just need a moment's humble thought, to wash away the tears To know the guiding hand is there, no matter what it seems To walk this earth with open eyes, and live the truest dreams.

(Outro) 
Yeah, the Buddha never truly goes... He's right here... in you and me... His light is always shining... can you see? Always... right here.

The Buddha Never Truly Goes

The Gospel Truth

In the tradition of grounded blues and folk, this song offers a heartfelt meditation on universal salvation and the liberating message of the Lotus Sūtra. Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Nichiren, it challenges the notion that enlightenment is reserved for a select few. Through the lens of storytelling and a soulful, fingerpicked guitar, the song celebrates the inherent worth and Buddha-nature in every being—from the 'evil man' to the 'weary woman'—and proclaims that the light of the Dharma shines for all, regardless of their past or present state. It's a reminder that true compassion seeks to save everyone, offering hope to those who have been left behind."


Lyrics: 
(Fingerpicked acoustic guitar intro, a steady, low-down rhythm with a hint of melancholy)

(Verse 1) 
They say the road to glory's narrow, Lord, a path for the chosen few 
They tell you some are born for sorrow, and their souls just can't break through 
They preached from high and mighty pulpits, a doctrine hard and cold 
Said some folks ain't got the nature, a story long since told 
Yeah, they left the humble and the broken on the outside lookin' in 
Afraid to knock on heaven's door, washed clean of all their sin

(Chorus) 
But I heard a whisper on the wind, a song from the Lotus bloom 
Said no one's left behind, brother, no one's sealed inside a tomb 
From the evil man and the weary woman, to the fool who's lost his way 
This True-nature burns within 'em, like the sun on a cloudy day 
Yeah, that old Sūtra says a broken soul can heal and rise up new 
The light of the Dharma shines for all, and that's the gospel truth.

(Verse 2) 
The old teachers said a wicked heart, like Devadatta's, could never mend 
Said the dragon girl, in her form, could never reach the end 
They put up walls and drew their lines, made salvation a bitter fight 
Said you gotta change your very bones to stand in the Buddha's light 
But Nichiren heard a different sound, a roar that shook the earth 
Said every single life holds worth, since the day of its blessed birth

(Chorus) 
'Cause I heard a whisper on the wind, a song from the Lotus bloom 
Said no one's left behind, brother, no one's sealed inside a tomb 
From the evil man and the weary woman, to the fool who's lost his way 
This True-nature burns within 'em, like the sun on a cloudy day 
Yeah, that old Sūtra says a broken soul can heal and rise up new 
The light of the Dharma shines for all, and that's the gospel truth.

(Guitar solo, bluesy and emotional, with a simple, melodic line that climbs higher with each phrase, then returns to the root notes)

(Bridge) 
It ain't about pride or arrogance, a voice just wanting to be heard 
It's a deep-down compassion, built on the Wonderful Word 
It's the faith that persecution can't steal, a fire that won't give out 
It's knowing everyone you meet, they got a way to rise and shout

(Outro) 
Yeah, it's the gospel truth... 
That the humble and the simple... 
They got a light, too... 
And that's a blessing... a blessing... just for me and you. 

(Guitar fades out with a final, resonant chord)

The Gospel Truth

Joyful Display Blues

Joyful Display Blues is a slow-burning, midnight-porch blues-folk song that turns ancient Lotus Sūtra insight into raw, human sound. Finger-picked guitar and a low harmonica drone carry lyrics about bodhisattvas rising from the earth, the Buddha’s cosmic display of light, and the vow to transform anger, isolation, and attachment into courage, compassion, and wisdom. Lantern-warm tones and indigo sky textures give the music a mystical yet earthy feel. It’s a celebration of everyday alchemy—turning poison into medicine—and of the unstoppable joy that keeps us singing through dark nights.

Lyrics: 
(slow, minor-key folk blues; finger-picked guitar with a low harmonica drone)

[Verse 1 – The Long View]
I heard the earth was shakin’, Bodhisattvas risin’ from the ground,
Not some far-off heaven, but right here where truth is found.
They vowed to keep the story, when the Buddha’s voice was gone,
And the sky lit up like thunder—light from every pore shone on.

[Chorus – The Cosmic Call]
Oh the Buddha stretched his tongue to heaven,
snapped his fingers, the worlds all spun.
But that power’s not a parlor trick,
it’s the vow of everyone.
The joyful display of the Buddhas,
is the strength we carry inside—
Turning poison into medicine,
on this blues-folk midnight ride.

[Verse 2 – Everyday Alchemy]
Anger’s just raw energy, I can forge to fearless love,
Isolation melts to compassion, like rain from clouds above.
Attachment shifts to wisdom, seein’ life as it truly flows,
Every wound a door to freedom, every thorn a hidden rose.

[Chorus – The Cosmic Call]
Oh the Buddha stretched his tongue to heaven,
snapped his fingers, the worlds all spun.
But that power’s not a parlor trick,
it’s the vow of everyone.
The joyful display of the Buddhas,
is the strength we carry inside—
Turning poison into medicine,
on this blues-folk midnight ride.

[Bridge – Modern Mission]
Nichiren walked that lonesome road,
Superior Practice in his bones.
Told us chant the mystic name,
make this troubled world our own.
It ain’t some distant paradise,
it’s the grit beneath our feet.
We rise from earth like thunder,
with a vow we won’t defeat.

[Verse 3 – Eternal Present]
The light that shook ten thousand worlds,
still burns in every breath we take.
Every time we lift another soul,
the cosmic joy awakes.
This ain’t old scripture fading,
it’s a song the future sings,
A blues that rolls forever,
on Bodhisattva wings.

[Final Chorus – The Joyful Display]
Oh the Buddha stretched his tongue to heaven,
snapped his fingers, the worlds all spun.
But that power’s not a parlor trick,
it’s the vow of everyone.
The joyful display of the Buddhas,
is the strength we carry inside—
Turning poison into medicine,
on this endless midnight ride.

(Outro: slow harmonica fade, a soft guitar thumb-beat like a distant heartbeat)

Joyful Display Blues

From the Deep and Fertile Ground

Inspired by the profound teachings of the Lotus Sutra and the enduring vow of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, "From the Deep and Fertile Ground" is a grounded, bluesy folk song that moves from spiritual insight to personal transformation. The song is a deconstruction of what "supernatural power" means, revealing it not as an arbitrary magical feat, but as a joyful, celebratory response from the Buddha to the solemn determination of his eternal disciples.

The lyrics delve into the central Buddhist principle of "changing poison into medicine," exploring how the "three poisons" of greed, anger, and foolishness can be transformed. The song posits that anger can become energy for compassionate action, isolation can be transformed into the wisdom of interconnectedness, and attachment can lead to true liberation.

The chorus evokes the cosmic spectacle described in the sutra, where the earth quakes and light emanates from every pore of the Buddha. This magnificent display is celebrated as a "timeless celebration of a shared, eternal vow," a vow that is passed on to all who commit to awakening their own innate potential for enlightenment. The song ultimately reminds us that the Buddha's ancient joy is re-created every time a person stands up to transform their own life and help others.


Lyrics: 
(Verse 1)
(Slow, acoustic guitar intro, a simple, bluesy picking pattern)
Well, the Buddha sat on the Lotus Throne, way back in a time untold.
He saw his disciples, weary and worn, with a story to be told
He'd taught them a path to ease their pain, to let go of greed and strife
But he knew there was more, a deeper truth, a brand new way of life.

(Chorus)
(The choir joins in, a harmony with a slow, gospel feel)
Oh, the earth it quaked, and the heavens bent, with a light from every pore.
He showed his power, not just for show, but to answer a solemn vow, and so much more
It wasn't magic, no, not at all, just a joyful, loving sound
For his followers who rose from the earth, from the deep and fertile ground

(Verse 2)
(The song becomes more personal, a single voice over the guitar)
They say that anger's a poison well, that's what we've always been taught.
But the Lotus shows us a different way, a lesson we can't buy or be bought
Turn that anger into a righteous fire, a fuel for the fight
To stand for justice and help someone rise, and fill the darkness with light.

(Chorus)
(The choir's harmony swells, more passionately)
And the earth it quaked, and the heavens bent, with a light from every pore.
He showed his power, not just for show, but to answer a solemn vow, and so much more
It wasn't magic, no, not at all, just a joyful, loving sound
For his followers who rose from the earth, from the deep and fertile ground.

(Bridge)
(The tempo slows, a single voice, almost spoken word, like a preacher)
They tell you that you're alone and lost, an island in the sea.
But the Buddha’s light shines on every soul, in you and in me
That isolation can turn to grace, a bridge to all mankind.
And that endless want, that attachment's chain, can turn to wisdom in your mind.

(Outro)
(The song fades out slowly, with the choir humming the melody and the guitar returning to the slow, gentle picking pattern)
The Buddha's joy, it's not far away.
It lives in our hearts when we stand up to pray
It lives in the vow that we make for all time
To turn this poison into a beautiful rhyme
Oh, a beautiful rhyme... (last note hangs in the air)

￼


From the Deep and Fertile Ground

"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...

The Unhidden Light

"Six Seals on the Road" is a soulful, acoustic folk-blues track that translates profound spiritual doctrine into a universal song of life's journey.

Inspired by the ultimate guidance for practitioners in Chapter 28 of the Lotus Sūtra, this song recasts the ancient Sixfold Praxis—to copy, keep, read, recite, memorize, and act according to the Sūtra—as a challenging yet necessary "road code."

This isn't just theory; it’s a commitment to a life of wisdom and compassion. The tune builds around the core Mahāyāna axiom: the effort to enlighten others is the most direct and necessary cause for the realization of one's own Buddhahood. We cannot achieve ultimate happiness while others suffer; the journey outward is the path inward.

Let the walking blues rhythm guide you as you embrace the Non-Duality of self and the world. This song is for every seeker, every songwriter, and every soul determined to find light by being light.


Lyrics: 
(Tempo: Slow, with a steady, walking blues rhythm. Think acoustic guitar, maybe a harmonica line after the verses.)

(Verse 1)
I saw the light on Vulture Peak, a long, long time ago.
The Buddha stepped away, but he didn't leave us low.
He left a map, a hard road code, for this world full of pain,
And Universal-Sage came down to stand us in the rain.
He said, "If you want the truth, friend, if you want the Buddha's heart,
You gotta put the Dharma to work, right from the very start."

(Chorus)
Oh, these are the Six Seals on the Road, the only way to climb,
Gotta work 'em with your hands, and work 'em with your mind.
It ain't enough to feel it deep, or know the words are true,
The key to my own freedom is the good I gotta do.
Yeah, the key to your own freedom is the good you gotta do.

(Verse 2)
The first seal is Keep it, let the Sutra be your spine.
Hold that faithful promise, make it your guiding line.
The second seal is Copy, with a hand that shakes but tries,
Every single character opens up the eighty thousand skies.
You're purifying your own weary soul with every pen stroke laid,
Making a shrine of paper, by the promise you have made.

(Verse 3)
Gotta Read and Recite it, till the words are in your bone.
Gotta Memorize the rhythm, 'cause you can't walk this road alone.
That's when the Sages move, they come to stand right where you stand,
They grant you the Samadhis, hold the wisdom in your hand.
It moves from ink to consciousness, a power understood,
But the journey ain't complete until you turn it toward the good.

(Chorus)
Oh, these are the Six Seals on the Road, the only way to climb,
Gotta work 'em with your hands, and work 'em with your mind.
It ain't enough to feel it deep, or know the words are true,
The key to my own freedom is the good I gotta do.
Yeah, the key to your own freedom is the good you gotta do.

(Bridge)
They call it Non-Duality, you gotta preach it to the crowd.
'Cause if one person's suffering, then my happiness ain't allowed.
You gotta Expound and Propagate, throw the light upon the dark,
'Cause every helping hand you lend, it leaves its shining mark.

(Outro)
The final seal is the deepest one, you gotta Act According To It.
They call it Shikidoku, friend, you gotta live the holy writ.
When you're out there saving others, from the trouble and the grief,
That's the only way you find your own ultimate relief.
Go ahead and walk it out, Padmaprabha. 
Go ahead and walk it out.
(Harmonica fades out)

Six Seals on the Road

Walk On Easy

Walk On Easy is a warm, blues-folk song about traveling light in a world that’s all connected. Inspired by the Lotus Sūtra’s teaching of peaceful conduct, it tells a simple story: no gate to guard, no crown to wear—just one wide river of life where everyone belongs. With finger-picked guitar, gentle harmonica, and a slow front-porch groove, this tune invites listeners of all ages to let go of heavy labels, trust the flow, and walk free.


Lyrics: 
[Verse 1]
No gate to guard, no heavy crown,
just a road that rolls on down.
Names and labels fade away,
like chalk in the rain at the end of the day.

[Chorus]
Walk on easy, light and free,
nothing to prove, just let it be.
The world’s one river, wide and deep,
moves and sings while we all keep beat.

[Verse 2]
No road higher, no road low,
just one path where all can go.
Pride’s a kite that’s lost its string,
truth don’t need a fancy wing.

[Chorus]
Walk on easy, light and free,
nothing to prove, just let it be.
The world’s one river, wide and deep,
moves and sings while we all keep beat.

[Verse 3]
Not all real, not all pretend,
beginnings meet where endings bend.
No man, no woman set apart,
we’re all bright sparks of the same big heart.

[Bridge – Harmonica or Slide Guitar]
(Soft, hopeful notes like a friend’s kind call.)

[Verse 4]
Don’t grab tight, don’t need to know,
let the gentle mystery flow.
Kindness grows where fear won’t stay,
love lights up the wandering way.

[Final Chorus – Repeat & Fade]
Walk on easy, light and free,
nothing to prove, just let it be.
The world’s one river, wide and deep,
moves and sings while we all keep beat.

Walk On Easy

Bodhi Tree Blues is a slow-shuffle folk-blues hymn born from the Lotus Sūtra’s Chapter 17 promise of immediate awakening.

A warm finger-picked guitar and mournful harmonica set the groove, while a gospel-style choir lifts the chorus like a sunrise.

The song celebrates the truth that every breath and every step are sacred—each of us already seated under the Bodhi tree, each moment a living stūpa of awakening.

It’s porch-front blues for a world of conflict, inviting everyone to sit down, breathe, and discover that enlightenment is here and now.

⸻

Lyrics: 
(Slow shuffle in A minor, 12/8 feel—think Mississippi John Hurt meets early Dylan)

[Verse 1]
In a world of dust and trouble,
where the night feels long and cold,
the Buddha’s voice keeps rollin’—
sayin’ your heart’s already whole.
No need to chase a far-off dawn,
the timeless sun’s inside.
Right where you stand is holy ground,
you can’t run and you can’t hide.

[Chorus]
Sit down under your Bodhi tree,
it’s been waitin’ all along.
Every breath’s a living stūpa,
every heartbeat sings the song.
No kalpas of weary wanderin’,
no future life to buy—
the Dharma blooms this very day,
beneath your Texas sky.

[Verse 2]
They said merit needs a thousand lives,
a million gifts to sow.
But one clear chant, one faithful heart,
is all you need to know.
The cause and fruit are one bright spark,
like lightning through the rain;
read, recite, embrace the truth—
you’re free of birth and chain.

[Chorus]
Sit down under your Bodhi tree,
it’s been waitin’ all along.
Every breath’s a living stūpa,
every heartbeat sings the song.
No kalpas of weary wanderin’,
no future life to buy—
the Dharma blooms this very day,
beneath your Texas sky.

[Bridge]
Persecution’s gonna holler,
like a black dog at your door.
But the harder that wind is blowin’,
the more your roots will soar.
Ajita stands beside you,
future Buddha by your side;
this world of conflict’s temple ground—
let the fearless vow be your guide.

[Final Chorus – soft then rising]
Sit down under your Bodhi tree,
it’s been waitin’ all along.
Every breath’s a living stūpa,
every heartbeat sings the song.
No kalpas of weary wanderin’,
no future life to buy—
the Buddha walks this very road,
with you beneath the sky.

Bodhi Tree Blues

The Quiet Gap Blues
The Quiet Gap Blues is a slow-burning, porch-born folk-blues meditation on patience, presence, and the subtle work of transformation. Over finger-picked guitar and a harmonica’s gentle cry, William sings of that moment between impulse and wisdom—the breath before the word, the silence before the song. It’s a hymn to building one’s inner tower stone by stone, listening deeply to others’ worlds, and letting the Dharma shine in everyday gestures. Intimate and earthy, this track invites you to walk it slow and let the quiet do its holy work.

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⸻

Verse 1 – The Micro-Pause

(Am)
I got a river of insight, runnin’ deep and wide,
(G)
But it rushes past the door where my quick words hide.
(F)
One breath could hold the whole wide vow,
(E7)
But I keep forgettin’—I remember now.

Chorus – Walk It Slow
(C)
Take a step, let the silence lead,
(G)
Let the vow breathe through every deed.
(F)
Not just in the songs I play,
(E7)
But in the way I speak each day.

⸻

Verse 2 – Many Seeds, One Tower

(Am)
I’m scatterin’ seeds on a thousand hills,
(G)
Dreamin’ of towers and iron wills.
(F)
But a treasure’s built stone by stone,
(E7)
Can’t grow ten forests if you’ve got one home.

⸻

Verse 3 – Deep Listenin’

(Am)
Some folks talk of skies I’ve never seen,
(G)
Different colors, same moonbeam.
(F)
I’ll ask their hearts how the heavens show,
(E7)
Learn the song only questions know.

⸻

Bridge – The Body Gate

(Dm)
Hands on the fretboard, breath in my chest,
(Am)
This body’s a temple where vows find rest.
(F)
Every muscle a mantra, every step a prayer,
(E7)
The Dharma’s not distant—it’s beating right there.

⸻

Chorus – Walk It Slow (reprise)

(C)
Take a step, let the silence lead,
(G)
Let the vow breathe through every deed.
(F)
Patience hums like an old steel string,
(E7)
That’s the deepest truth I sing.

The Quiet Gap Blues

The Bow That Sees is a bluesy folk anthem inspired by the Lotus Sūtra’s teaching of non-contempt. With gritty guitar, mournful harmonica, and gospel warmth, it tells the story of bowing in reverence—even when the world throws stones. This song carries the spirit of Bodhisattva Never Disrespectful: humility in the face of pride, compassion in the midst of quarrels, and unshakable faith that every being holds the seed of enlightenment. It’s a song of dignity, resilience, and hope—a reminder that no soul is ever abandoned, and we all walk the long road home together.

Lyrics: 
(Verse 1)
I bow to the stranger, ragged and worn,
To the weary heart, to the soul forlorn.
In the mud of sorrow, the lotus will rise,
Every broken spirit still holds the skies.

(Chorus)
Oh, I won’t call you lazy, I won’t call you lost,
The road is long, but we all must cross.
The One Great Vehicle carries us home,
No soul abandoned, no one alone.

(Verse 2)
My pride’s like dust, let the wind take it down,
No need to lift myself by pushin’ you around.
Your light’s still hidden, but it shines in kind,
Every soul’s a Buddha, in body and mind.

(Chorus)
Oh, I won’t call you lazy, I won’t call you lost,
The road is long, but we all must cross.
The One Great Vehicle carries us home,
No soul abandoned, no one alone.

(Bridge – spoken or sung, with harmonica fills)
Even when the stones are thrown at me,
I bow, I bow, sayin’ what I see:
“You will be a Buddha, just wait and see.”

(Chorus – repeat, with fuller harmony)
Oh, I won’t call you lazy, I won’t call you lost,
The road is long, but we all must cross.
The One Great Vehicle carries us home,
No soul abandoned, no one alone.

The Bow That Sees

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Welcome to the musical world of The William Altig Choir, where ancient wisdom meets contemporary sound.

Inspired by the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and infused with deep spiritual themes, my music blends the rich traditions of blues and folk with modern elements, creating a unique fusion that resonates with both the heart and soul.

I've been captivated by the Lotus Sutra's messages of compassion, wisdom, and transformation since my youth. It's a journey of self-discovery that has found its voice in my music. Each song is a reflection of my own spiritual awakening and a celebration of universal truths.

My style is characterized by emotive storytelling, powerful lyrics, and a commitment to exploring the depths of human experience. Featuring contemplative blues, acoustic slide guitar, saxophone melodies, and the harmonies of a gospel choir, my music reflects a quest for enlightenment and a better understanding of the self.

Join me on this musical journey. Together, we can explore the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, finding solace, hope, and a deeper connection to the world around us.

#SpiritualMusic  #LotusSutraMusic  #ContemplativeBlues  #BuddhistGospel #AcousticSlideGuitar  #GospelChoir  #Self-Discovery  #SpiritualAwakening  #Hope  #The_William_Altig_Choir

The Universe Gathers

The William Altig Choir

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