俱舍論頌疏論本 12.30

12.30

The commentary says: The first line answers the first question; the next two lines answer the second question; the next line answers the third question; the next two lines answer the fourth question; the final two lines answer the fifth question. From the time human lifespan on this continent is immeasurable down to eighty thousand years, wheel-turning kings appear. Because this king corresponds to the Way by turning a wheel and subdues all with majesty, he is named 'wheel-turning king' (cakravartin). Because their wheels of gold, silver, copper, and iron differ: an iron-wheel king rules the realm of one continent; a copper-wheel king rules the realm of two continents; a silver-wheel king rules the realm of three continents; and a gold-wheel king rules the realm of four continents. A wheel-turning king is like a Buddha: two never arise together; only one appears at a time. According to the Sarvāstivāda, there is only one Buddha in the worlds of the ten directions. According to the Sautrāntika school, ten Buddhas are admitted in the worlds of the ten directions. The treatise contains mutual refutations, but they are too cumbersome to recount. The majesty with which these four wheel-turning kings pacify the various directions also differs: for a gold-wheel king, the kings of lesser countries each come to welcome him, making this request: 'Our land is secure, rich, and joyful, with abundant people; we only pray that Your Heavenly Majesty personally bestow instructions, and we shall all be Your Heavenly Majesty's attendants.' In the case of a silver-wheel king, he goes to their land himself, and that region submits as subjects. In the case of a copper-wheel king, after arriving in that country, he proclaims his majesty and contends in virtue, whereupon that region yields superiority. In the case of an iron-wheel king, he also arrives in that country, displays his majesty, and arrays battle lines, desisting as soon as victory is gained. All wheel-turning kings cause no harm; having made [others] submit and gained victory, they establish each in their own dwelling and exhort and transform them to cultivate the ten wholesome courses of action. Therefore, when a wheel-turning king dies, he is certain to be born in heaven. The sūtra states that a wheel-turning king has seven treasures: first, the treasure of the wheel; second, the treasure of the elephant; third, the treasure of the horse; fourth, the treasure of the jewel; fifth, the treasure of the woman; sixth, the treasure of the steward; seventh, the treasure of the general. Just as all wheel-turning kings differ from other kings not only by the seven treasures, they also differ from other kings by possessing the thirty-two marks of a great person. Question: 'If so, what distinction is there between a wheel-turning king and a Buddha?' Answer: 'The marks of a great person of a Buddha are in their proper places, brilliant, and complete, whereas the king's marks are not so; therefore, there is a distinction.'"