仁王般若經疏 3.13

3.13

From 'Great King, it not only protects the state' onward, it thirdly clarifies the ritual method for protecting ministers, commoners, and others. There are nine kinds of blessings: 1. wealth; 2. noble official rank; 3. the seven jewels as one wishes; 4. travel in peace and stability; 5. sons and daughters; 6. wisdom and understanding; 7. fame; 8. the fruits of the six heavens; 9. the fruits of the nine grades among humans. The 'nine grades' refers to nine grades of persons: the superior, intermediate, and inferior each have three grades, three times three making nine kinds. The superior, intermediate, and inferior of the superior grade are: the superior grade is the gold-wheel-turning king of the stage of the Path-nature; the intermediate grade is the silver-wheel-turning king of the stage of the real nature; the inferior grade is the copper-wheel-turning king of the stage of the acquired nature. The superior, intermediate, and inferior of the intermediate grade are: the superior grade is the iron-wheel-turning king; the intermediate grade is the scattered-millet king; the inferior grade is the king of a small state. The superior, intermediate, and inferior of the inferior grade are: the superior grade is the great clan of kṣatriyas; the intermediate grade is the great clan of brāhmaṇas; the inferior grade is the great families of householders, and so on.