金光明經文句 5.7

5.7

From "World-Honored One, this Suvarṇaprabhāsa" onward is the second [part], recounting their ability to protect the state. The text has two [sections]: first, internally protecting the state by means of the Dharma; second, externally protecting the state by means of strategies. Protecting the state by the Dharma also has four [parts]: first, the reason for protecting the state; second, protecting the state by means of the Dharma; third, protecting the state by means of the heavenly retinue; fourth, protecting the state by means of the divine eye. As for the reason for protecting the state, it is because by hearing this sūtra they obtain four benefits: their bodies increase in radiance, their strength increases in bravery, their minds increase in progress, and their virtue increases in dignity. In terms of principle, they obtain two benefits, meaning that both the Dharma-body and the life of wisdom increase. Because the state propagates the sūtra, bringing about this moisture of the Dharma, how could they not protect it? As for recounting the reason: this meaning corresponds directly to the contemplation of the mind. Protecting the realm of the four truths with the wisdom of the four truths is precisely practicing the correct Dharma. Using the wisdom of the four truths to guide the mental factors so that the mental factors do not act [defiledly] is called practicing the perfection of wisdom (prajñāpāramitā). This is precisely being able to expound the correct Dharma; because internally there is such a reason for protecting the state, they are called world-protecting kings who govern the realm correctly. As for leading the retinue to protect the state, this also corresponds to the contemplation of the mind. The king of the mind leads the party of mental factors to subjugate the sharp and dull envoys of views and cravings, just as the heavenly kings together with their retinues ward off all evil demons, and just as wherever a wheel-turning king goes with the seven treasures and a thousand sons, the four quarters submit to his virtue. When the four kings together with their five hundred [retainers] arrive at a place, what evil would not be eliminated? As for using the divine eye to protect the state: by means of the karmically acquired divine eye they see thoroughly, leaving no darkness unilluminated, preventing problems before they sprout and checking them at their onset—what evil would not be eliminated?