仁王護國般若波羅蜜多經疏 1.5

1.5

In explaining the title of the scripture, the meaning combines the general and the specific. 'Benevolent Kings protecting the state' indicates the deed of the petitioner. 'Prajñāpāramitā' clarifies the abstruse mystery of object and cognition. 'Chapter 1: Introductory' is the specific title of the first of the eight sections. Alternatively: 'Benevolent' is the foremost of the five constant virtues; 'King' presides over and crowns the three realms; 'Protecting' means rescuing the times through the power of compassion; 'State' is the walled city where one dwells. 'Prajñā' is pure wisdom, breaking through the troublesome cage of the waves of consciousness; 'pāra' is the other shore, namely the clean and pure dwelling; 'mitā' means 'to leave' and 'to arrive'. 'Sūtra' means threading together and holding. 'Introductory' means the beginning and cause; 'Chapter' means categorizing and gathering; 'Number' (dì) means sequence; 'First' is the beginning of count. Both person and Dharma are made manifest, hence it is called 'Chapter 1: Introductory to the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra of the Benevolent Kings for the Protection of the State'.