金光明經文句 5.6

5.6

The 'Chapter on the Four Heavenly Kings' has six rounds of questions and answers, which form six sections: first, addressing the Buddha to state their ability to protect the country; second, addressing the Buddha to state their deeds in protecting the country; third, addressing the Buddha to display its model and guidelines; fourth, addressing the Buddha to summarize its benefits of Dharma; fifth, addressing the Buddha to describe both prosperity and decline; sixth, addressing the Buddha to speak verses praising virtues.

The first round has two parts: 1. addressing the Buddha; 2. the Buddha confirming and endorsing. Addressing the Buddha also has two parts: 1. the sūtra narrator's account; 2. formally addressing the Buddha. The account of paying reverence is as in the text. The formal addressing of the Buddha has two parts: 1. praising the sūtra; 2. stating their ability to protect. The devas believe in the Dharma and have power, and therefore praise the sūtra. Desiring the propagation of the sūtra, they state their ability to protect it.

Praising the sūtra has three parts: from 'This Golden Radiance' downward, it praises the substance of the sūtra; from 'Adorning bodhisattvas' downward, it praises the principle of the sūtra; from 'This sūtra can illuminate' downward, it praises the function of the sūtra. While the main discourse is vast, praising these three briefly subsumes the extensive. The principle of dharmatā is that which the Buddhas protect and keep in mind; the text explains this principle, and hence it is called the 'king of sūtras'. Since it is called the king of sūtras, we know this praises the substance. Cultivating according to this substance enables bodhisattvas to be fully endowed with the two adornments and accomplish the ultimate fruit. Since it speaks of adornment, we know this praises the principle. Worldly devas, pure devas, and meaning-devas all revere the ultimate ground and offer the three modes of action in worship: revering with the body, rejoicing with the mind, and praising with the mouth. Furthermore, from the hells below up to the bodhisattvas, where ignorance is not yet exhausted, all have feverish afflictions; this sūtra can remove them, being cool and refreshing like the moon, so we know this praises the function (and so on).