妙法蓮華經文句 2.106

2.106

'Śakra Devānām Indra': Indra, or Candra, is translated here as 'Able to Act', acting as the lord of the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven. Trāyastriṃśa is translated here as Thirty-Three; each of the four sides has eight cities, which together with the City of Good View make thirty-three, residing together atop Mount Sumeru. Sumeru is translated here as Peacefully Bright, composed of four treasures, three million three hundred and sixty thousand li in height and breadth; this is the lord of the desire realm heavens, hence listed first. The Saṃyuktāgama, fascicle 40, says: 'A monk asked the Buddha: "Why is he named Śakra Devānām Indra?" The Buddha answered: "Formerly, when he was a human, he practiced sudden giving and was capable of acting as lord; therefore he is named Śakra Devānām Indra." "Why is he named Purandara?" "Because when he was a human, he gave repeatedly." "Why is he named Maghavan?" "Because it was his name when he was formerly a human." "Why is he named Sabala?" "Because when he was formerly a human, he gave this clothing." "Why is he named Kauśika?" "Because it was his clan name when he was formerly a human." "Why is he named Śacīpati?" "Śacī is the wife, pati is the husband." "Why is he named Thousand-Eyed?" "Because when he was formerly a human, he was intelligent, and in a single sitting would contemplate a thousand kinds of meanings, observing and weighing them; therefore he is named Thousand-Eyed." "Why is he named Indriya?" "Because he is the lord of the thirty-two heavens."' Fascicle 3 of the Yingluo jing says: 'The Heavenly Emperor is named Juyi.'