金光明最勝王經疏 5.618

5.618

王法正論品，三門分別。言來意者，流通有三：初十六品學行流通中有五，此即第三品正明持學。持學有二：初二舉昔、後一勸今。舉昔有二：一為增上生道、二為決定勝道。此品為初。又解：以〈四天王護國品〉說人王若能尊人重法，正行弘經，天等擁護；若不如是，天等捨離。故今此品舉昔人王正行弘經，勸勉時會，有此品起。

Chapter on the Correct Treatise on the Law of Kings: this is analyzed under three headings. Regarding the reason for its coming: in the propagation section there are three divisions. Within the first sixteen chapters on propagation through study and practice, there are five subdivisions, and this is the third chapter, which directly clarifies upholding study. Upholding study has two aspects: first, two chapters cite the past; next, one chapter exhorts the present. Citing the past has two purposes: first, for the path of higher rebirth (abhyudaya); second, for the path of definitive goodness (niḥśreyasa). This chapter is the first. Another explanation: in the "Chapter on the Four Heavenly Kings Protecting the State," it was taught that if human kings can revere persons and honor the Dharma, acting correctly to disseminate the sūtra, the devas and others will protect them; if they do not do so, the devas and others will abandon them. Therefore, this present chapter arises now to cite past human kings who acted correctly to disseminate the sūtra, in order to exhort the assembly of that time.