金光明最勝王經疏 1.28

1.28

次、明得後世利者，即鷲峯會說此經已，後依修學所得利者，竝是後利。略舉少分。一、明聞經益。〈四天王護國品〉云「若有眾生聞是《金光明經》者，即於阿耨菩提不復退轉。」二、明讀誦益。〈大辯才天女品〉云「辯才天女白佛言：『世尊！若有法師說是《金光明最勝王經》者，我當益其智慧，具足莊嚴言說之辯。若彼法師於此經中文字句義所有忘失，皆令憶持、能善聞悟，復與陀羅尼總持無礙。』」三、明受持益。〈無染著陀羅尼品〉云「若有十阿僧祇三千大千世界滿中七寶奉施諸佛，及以上妙衣服飲食種種供養，經無量劫。若復有人，於此陀羅尼乃至一句能受持者，所生之福倍多於彼。何以故？此無染著陀羅尼甚深法門是諸佛母故。」此意由經能生諸佛，故名佛母。四、明流通益。〈三身品〉云「若所在處講說是經，於其國土有四種益：一者國王軍眾強盛、無諸怨敵，離於疾疫、壽命延長，吉祥安樂、正法興顯。二者中宮后妃王子諸臣和悅無諍，離於諂佞，王所愛重。三者沙門婆羅門及諸國人修行正法，無病安樂、無枉死者，於諸福田悉皆修立。四者於三時中四大調適，常為諸天增加守護，慈悲平等無傷害心，令諸眾生歸敬三寶，修習阿耨菩提之行。」又〈三身品〉明聞經益云「若有善男子善女人於此《金光明經》聽聞信解，不墮地獄、餓鬼、傍生、阿蘇羅道，常處人天不生下賤，恒得親近諸佛如來聽受正法，常生諸佛清淨國土。所以者何？由得聞此甚深法故，是善男女則為如來已知已記當得不退阿耨菩提。於此甚深微妙之法一經耳者，當知是人不謗如來、不毀正法、不輕聖眾，一切眾生未種善根令得種故，已種善根令增長成就故，一切世界所有眾生皆勤修行六波羅蜜多。」又〈懺悔品〉明流通益云「若有四眾，隨在何處為人講說是金光明微妙經典，於其國土皆獲四種福利善根：一者國王無病，離諸災厄；二者壽命延長，無有障礙；三者無諸怨敵，兵眾勇健；四者安穩豐樂，正法流通。」又云「於其國中大臣輔相有四種益：一者更相親穆尊重愛念；二者常為人王心所愛重，亦為沙門婆羅門、大國小國之所遵敬；三者輕財重法不求世利，嘉名普暨眾所欽仰；四者壽命延長安穩快樂。沙門婆羅門亦得四勝利：一四事無乏、二安心思惟、三依山林得安樂住、四隨願得滿。人民皆得豐樂無諸疾疫，商估往還多獲寶貨具足勝福。」已外諸品說得利益雖無量種，類不過此。利益既多，諸有聞者應如法學。

Next, explaining the attainment of benefits in future lives: namely, after this sūtra was preached at the Vulture Peak assembly, the benefits obtained later by practicing and studying in accordance with it are all future benefits. To briefly cite a small portion: 1. Explaining the benefit of hearing the sūtra. The "Chapter on the Four Heavenly Kings Protecting the State" says: "If any sentient being hears this *Suvarṇaprabhāsa-sūtra*, they will immediately not regress in anuttarā [samyak]sambodhi." 2. Explaining the benefit of reading and reciting. The "Chapter on the Goddess Sarasvatī" says: "The goddess Sarasvatī addressed the Buddha, saying: 'World-Honoured One! If there is a Dharma master who preaches this *Suvarṇaprabhāsottamasūtra*, I will increase his wisdom and endow him with the eloquence of embellished speech. If that Dharma master forgets any of the letters, words, phrases, or meanings in this sūtra, I will cause him to remember and retain them, and to be able to listen and awaken well, and I will further grant him unobstructed retention of dhāraṇī.'" 3. Explaining the benefit of receiving and upholding. The "Chapter on the Dhāraṇī of Non-Attachment" says: "Suppose there were ten asaṃkhyeyas of trichiliocosms filled with the seven treasures offered to the buddhas, along with supreme garments, food, and drink, and various offerings throughout immeasurable kalpas. If there is another person who can receive and uphold even a single phrase of this dhāraṇī, the merit produced will be double that. Why? Because this profound Dharma gate of the Dhāraṇī of Non-Attachment is the mother of all buddhas." The meaning here is that because the sūtra can give birth to all buddhas, it is called the Buddha-mother. 4. Explaining the benefit of propagation. The "Chapter on the Three Bodies" says: "Wherever this sūtra is expounded and preached, in that country there will be four kinds of benefits: first, the king's army will be strong and powerful, without any enemies, free from epidemics, with long lifespans, auspiciousness, peace, and bliss, and the Saddharma will flourish; second, the queens, royal consorts, princes, and ministers of the inner palace will be harmonious and devoid of dispute, free from flattery and deceit, and beloved and respected by the king; third, śramaṇas, brāhmaṇas, and all the people of the country will practice the Saddharma, be free from disease, peaceful, and joyful, without anyone suffering untimely death, and will cultivate and establish all fields of merit; fourth, during the three seasons the four great elements will be harmonious, and they will constantly receive increased protection from the devas, having equal compassion without harmful intent, causing sentient beings to take refuge in and revere the Three Jewels and cultivate the practices of anuttarā [samyak]sambodhi." Furthermore, the "Chapter on the Three Bodies," explaining the benefit of hearing the sūtra, says: "If any good man or good woman hears, faithfully understands, and does not fall into the realms of hell, hungry ghosts, animals, or asuras, they will always dwell among humans and devas without being born in lowly stations, constantly be close to the tathāgatas to hear and receive the Saddharma, and always be born in the pure lands of the buddhas. Why? Because by being able to hear this profound Dharma, this good man or woman has already been known and prophesied by the Tathāgata to attain non-retrogressing anuttarā [samyak]sambodhi. If this profound, wondrous Dharma once passes through their ears, one should know that this person does not slander the Tathāgata, does not destroy the Saddharma, and does not slight the ārya saṅgha; it causes all sentient beings who have not planted good roots to plant them, and causes those who have already planted good roots to increase and accomplish them, so that all sentient beings in all worlds diligently cultivate the six pāramitās." Furthermore, the "Chapter on Repentance," explaining the benefit of propagation, says: "If any of the four assemblies expounds and preaches this wondrous classic of Golden Light to others wherever they are, in that country they will all obtain four kinds of fortunate benefits and good roots: first, the king will be free from disease and separated from all calamities; second, his lifespan will be extended without any obstacles; third, there will be no enemies, and the military forces will be brave and strong; fourth, there will be peace, security, abundance, joy, and the propagation of the Saddharma." It also says: "In that country, the ministers and counselors will have four kinds of benefits: first, mutual intimacy, respect, and affectionate care; second, constantly being beloved and esteemed in the heart of the king of people, and also being respected by śramaṇas, brāhmaṇas, large countries, and small countries; third, slighting wealth and valuing the Dharma without seeking worldly gain, with good reputations spreading everywhere and admired by the multitude; fourth, longevity, peace, security, and happiness. Śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas will also attain four superior benefits: first, no lack of the four requisites; second, contemplating with peace of mind; third, dwelling in peace and joy by relying on mountain forests; fourth, their vows being fulfilled according to their wishes. The common people will all attain abundance, joy, and freedom from epidemics, and merchants traveling back and forth will acquire abundant treasures and goods, possessing superior blessings." The benefits spoken of in the other chapters, although of immeasurable kinds, do not exceed these categories. Since the benefits are so manifold, all who hear it should learn it in accordance with the Dharma.