諸經要集 4.114

4.114

Furthermore, the Guanding jing (Consecration Sūtra) says: The Bodhisattva Jiutuo said to the Buddha, "If there are men or women of good family who are emaciated, bedridden, tormented with pain, and without refuge or protection, I will now urge that they invite the assembly of monks for seven days and seven nights to observe the fast with single-mindedness, uphold the eight prohibitions, circumambulate six times a day, read this scripture forty-nine times, and light a seven-tiered lamp and hang five-coloured spirit-banners for extending life." Ānanda asked, "What is the method for the life-extending banners and lamps?" [The Buddha replied,] "The spirit-banners are five-coloured and forty-nine feet long, and the lamps are also like this. For a seven-tiered lamp, each tier has seven lamps, and each lamp is like a cartwheel. If one encounters distress and calamity, or is locked in prison with shackles and fetters binding the body, one should also make banners and lamps, and release various kinds of living beings up to forty-nine, and one will be able to cross over perilous calamities without being seized by various untimely evil ghosts." Furthermore, the Chaoriming sanmei jing (Sūtra on the Samādhi of the Light Surpassing the Sun) says: The sun deva king, together with countless devas, came to the Buddha's place, bowed his head, and said, "By what kind of practice does one become a sun deva illuminating the four continents under heaven? And by what condition does one become a moon deva dispelling the darkness of the night?" The Buddha said, "There are four things: first, constantly rejoicing in giving; second, cultivating the body and being cautious in conduct; third, upholding the precepts without violating them; fourth, lighting lamps in a Buddhist monastery, or before parents, śramaṇas, or practitioners of the path, so that all meet with light; and further, in body, speech, and mind, practicing the ten wholesome deeds such as non-killing." The Buddha said, "Furthermore, there are four things by which one becomes a moon king: first, giving to the poor and destitute; second, upholding the five precepts; third, respectfully serving the Three Honoured Ones; fourth, setting up lamp light in the darkness before rulers, fathers, teachers, and others."