法苑珠林 43.7

43.7

According to the Tripiṭaka Master Paramārtha, in the kalpa of formation, human lifespan is immeasurable; in the kalpas of abiding and destruction, human lifespan is eighty thousand years. At that time, cakravartins appear in the world. When the lifespan diminishes below this, they do not appear. There are three kinds of cakravartins: first, the military-wheel king; second, the treasure-wheel king; third, the Dharma-wheel king. If the lifespan diminishes below eighty thousand years, the treasure-wheel king does not appear in the world. Why is this? Because this king's blessings, virtues, and lifespan are long-lasting, which is contrary to a shortened lifespan, and thus he does not appear in the world. When it diminishes, the Dharma-wheel king appears in the world. Why is this? Because the Tathāgata's great compassion causes all sentient beings to know suffering and impermanence, making them easily transformable, so he appears in the world. Therefore, a treatise says: "During the decrease of the kalpa, Buddhas arise in the world; at the beginning of the kalpa, wheel-turning kings appear." Only when Maitreya Buddha appears do the people have the merit and virtue for both kinds of kings to appear in the world together. There are four types of treasure-wheel kings: first, the gold-wheel king, whose transformation covers the four continents; second, the silver-wheel king, whose governance excludes northern Uttarakuru, ruling over three continents; third, the copper-wheel king, who excludes both northern Uttarakuru and western Aparagodānīya, ruling over two continents; fourth, the iron-wheel king, who is confined only to Jambudvīpa, ruling over one continent. When the lifespan diminishes below eighty thousand years, military-wheel kings appear, using military force to subdue and rule over one continent, such as King Aśoka and others. The Tathāgata is the Dharma-wheel king. The statement that wheel-turning kings appear during the increase of the kalpa refers to treasure-wheel kings; when discussing military-wheel kings, they extend through the period of kalpa decrease. The iron wheel has two hundred and fifty spokes; the copper wheel has five hundred spokes; the silver wheel has seven hundred and fifty spokes; the gold wheel has one thousand spokes. Therefore, the Benevolent King Sūtra (Renwang jing) states: "The king of the firmly virtuous stage of the path rides the gold wheel and rules the four continents; the king of nature-lineage rides the silver wheel and rules three continents; the king of practice-lineage rides the copper wheel and rules two continents; those with the above ten virtues who attain kingship ride the iron wheel and rule one continent."