金光明最勝王經疏 5.7

5.7

Commentary: The text of this chapter is broadly divided into four: first, the Four Kings praise the sūtra's supreme dignity; second, from "World-Honoured One, we four kings..." onward, the Four Kings recount their own practice; third, from "Furthermore, in this..." onward, the Four Kings encourage people to propagate the sūtra; fourth, from "The great assembly, having heard..." onward, the assembly follows the instruction to cultivate and study. The first text has four [parts]: first, the Four Kings' reverent devotion; second, praising the Dharma as supreme; third, revealing the power and efficacy of the sūtra; fourth, requesting the Buddha to preach it constantly. This is the first. First, listing the four names: Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Virūḍhaka, Virūpākṣa, and Vaiśravaṇa, who in sequence govern the east, south, west, and north; their main abode is the fourth tier of Mount Meru, and from time to time they also dwell atop Mount Yugandhara. Here, King Vaiśravaṇa is listed first because of his deep faith and supreme renown. King Dhṛtarāṣṭra leads the gandharvas and piśācas; King Virūḍhaka leads the kumbhāṇḍas and pretas; King Virūpākṣa leads all nāgas and pūtanas; King Vaiśravaṇa leads all yakṣas and rākṣasas. The second [part] is their reverent devotion.