Day 1 covers the first half of Chapter 1, Introductory

Having last month considered the Bodhisattvas Maitreya sees, we consider the kings and more Bodhisattvas illumined by the light from the Buddha.

Mañjuśrī!
I see some kings coming to a Buddha,
And asking him about unsurpassed enlightenment.
They have renounced the world of pleasures,
Left their palaces,
Parted from their ministers and women,
And shaved their beard and hair.
They now wear monastic robes.

I also see some Bodhisattvas
Becoming bhikṣus,
Living alone in retired places,
And joyfully reciting sūtras.

I also see some Bodhisattvas
Zealously and courageously
Entering remote mountains, and pondering
The enlightenment of the Buddha.

I also see some of them having given up desires,
And living in retired places,
Entering deep into dhyāna-concentration,
And obtaining the five supernatural powers.

I also see some Bodhisattvas finding peace in dhyāna,
Joining their hands together [towards the Buddha],
And praising the King of the Dharma
With tens of millions of gāthās.

I also see some Bodhisattvas resolute in mind.
They have obtained profound wisdom
By questioning the Buddha.
And now they remember what they heard from him.

I have heard the first chapter described as difficult to read and difficult to understand and I agree, but only once. The first chapter foretells what we will see and learn in the Lotus Sutra and as I cycle through I’m reminded of kings who give up their thrones and bodhisattvas taking the form of bhikṣus in order to teach this Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma. I think to myself, “Pay attention. You’re going to see all this, too.”