經律異相 24.6

24.6

As for the wheel-turning holy king, the reason he obtains the golden wheel is that Śakra constantly commands the Four Heavenly Kings to inspect the world six days a month, watching over the good and evil of humans. When the Four Heavenly Kings, their princes, and their messengers see a great king who governs the world by means of the ten wholesome deeds and the four immeasurables, caring for his people with a mind exceeding that of an affectionate father, they report this matter to Śakra, King of the Gods. Hearing this, Śakra rejoices that he is able to do so, and forthwith commands Viśvakarman to bestow upon him a golden wheel. [Viśvakarman] promptly brings it out and hands it to the Heavenly King Vaiśravaṇa. The Heavenly King Vaiśravaṇa hands it to a flying yakṣa, and the flying yakṣa carries it to present to the great king. The Heavenly King Vaiśravaṇa commands this yakṣa: 'You must constantly hold this golden wheel for the king above his crown to the end of his lifespan, and you must not abandon it halfway.' This yakṣa constantly holds it for him, advancing, stopping, coming, and going according to the holy king's intent until the end of his lifespan. Thereafter it is returned to the Heavenly King Vaiśravaṇa; the Heavenly King Vaiśravaṇa returns it to Viśvakarman; and Viśvakarman places it back into the jewel treasury (from the sixth fascicle of the *Zapiyu jing*). One on the path-nature of firm virtue rides a golden wheel and rules over four continents. A king on the essential nature rides a silver wheel and rules over three continents. A king on the practice nature rides a copper wheel and rules over two continents. Achieving kingship through the ten wholesome deeds above, one rides an iron wheel and rules over one continent (from the *Renwang bore jing*).