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  1. The Prajñāpāramitā Sutra for Benevolent Kings Protecting Their Countries. (仁王護國般若波羅蜜多經)
  2. Volume 1 (第一)
  3. 1. Introduction (1 序品)
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The Prajñāpāramitā Sutra for Benevolent Kings Protecting Their Countries. (仁王護國般若波羅蜜多經)

About 仁王護國般若波羅蜜多經

Tang · Source text translated by 不空

14,444 · about 48 min

The Sutra of the Benevolent King's Protection of the Nation through Prajñāpāramitā is an important Buddhist scripture translated by the eminent Tang dynasty monk Amoghavajra, belonging to the Prajñāpāramitā class of sutras. This sutra centers on protecting the nation and benefiting the people, expounding the profound significance of Prajñā Wisdom for national stability and the liberation of sentient beings. It emphasizes that a benevolent king (sovereign) who governs according to the Buddha-Dharma will receive the protection of Dharma-protecting deities. The content of the sutra includes methods for safeguarding the nation, the thought of śūnyatā (emptiness) in Prajñāpāramitā, and ritual practices for cultivation, integrating both theoretical and practical value. As a master of Esoteric Buddhism, Amoghavajra’s translation blends exoteric and esoteric teachings, granting it a special status within Chinese Buddhism. Historically, this sutra has been regarded as one of the Three Sutras for Protecting the Nation and remains an important text for the study of Chinese Buddhist political thought and the development of Tang dynasty Esoteric Buddhism. To this day, it continues to be revered as a significant scripture for invoking blessings and dispelling calamities.

Human translations available

  • (1998)Charles Orzech "The Transcendent Wisdom Scripture for Humane Kings Who Wish to Protect Their States" Politics and Transc…

序品第一
如是我聞:
一時,佛住王舍城鷲峰山中,與大比丘眾千八百人俱——皆阿羅漢,諸漏已盡無復煩惱,心善解脫、慧善解脫,九智十智所作已辦,三假實觀三空門觀,有為功德、無為功德皆悉成就;復有比丘尼眾八百人俱,皆阿羅漢;復有無量無數菩薩摩訶薩——實智平等永斷惑障,方便善巧起大行願,以四攝法饒益有情,四無量心普覆一切,三明鑒達得五神通,修習無邊菩提分法,工巧技藝超諸世間,深入緣生,空、無相願,出入滅定示現難量,摧伏魔怨雙照二諦,法眼普見知眾生根,四無礙解演說無畏,十力妙智雷震法音,近無等等金剛三昧,如是功德皆悉具足;復有無量優婆塞眾、優婆夷眾,皆見聖諦;復有無量修七賢行、念處、正勤、神足、根、力,八勝處、十徧處,十六心行趣諦現觀;復有十六大國王——波斯匿王等,各與若干千萬眷屬俱;復有六欲天王——釋提桓因等,與其眷屬無量天子俱;色四靜慮諸大梵王,亦與眷屬無量天子俱;諸趣變化無量有情——阿脩羅等,若干眷屬俱。復有變現十方淨土,而現百億師子之座,佛坐其上廣宣法要。一一座前各現一花,是百億花眾寶嚴飾。於諸花上,一一復有無量化佛、無量菩薩,四眾八部悉皆無量。其中諸佛各各宣說般若波羅蜜多,展轉流徧十方恒沙諸佛國土。有如是等諸來大眾,各禮佛足退坐一面。
爾時世尊,初年月八日,入大寂靜妙三摩地,身諸毛孔放大光明,普照十方恒沙佛土。是時,欲界無量諸天雨眾妙花,色界諸天亦雨天花,眾色間錯甚可愛樂。時無色界雨諸香花,香如須彌、華如車輪,如雲而下遍覆大眾,普佛世界六種震動。
爾時大眾自相謂言:「大覺世尊前已為我等,說摩訶般若波羅蜜多、金剛般若波羅蜜多、天王問般若波羅蜜多、大品等,無量無數般若波羅蜜多。今日如來放大光明,斯作何事?」
時室羅筏國波斯匿王作是思惟:「今佛現是希有之相,必雨法雨,普皆利樂。」即問寶蓋、無垢稱等諸優婆塞,舍利弗、須菩提等諸大聲聞,彌勒、師子吼等諸菩薩摩訶薩言:「如來所現,是何瑞相?」時諸大眾無能答者。波斯匿王等,承佛神力廣作音樂,欲、色諸天各奏無量天諸伎樂,聲遍三千大千世界。
爾時,世尊復放無量阿僧祇光,其明雜色,一一光中現寶蓮華,其華千葉皆作金色,上有化佛宣說法要。是佛光明普於十方恒河沙等諸佛國土,有緣斯現。彼他方佛國中,東方普光菩薩摩訶薩、東南方蓮華手菩薩摩訶薩、南方離憂菩薩摩訶薩、西南方光明菩薩摩訶薩、西方行慧菩薩摩訶薩、西北方寶勝菩薩摩訶薩、北方勝受菩薩摩訶薩、東北方離塵菩薩摩訶薩、上方喜受菩薩摩訶薩、下方蓮華勝菩薩摩訶薩,各與無量百千俱胝菩薩摩訶薩皆來至此,持種種香、散種種華,作無量音樂供養如來,頂禮佛足,默然退坐,合掌恭敬,一心觀佛。

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CBETA Code: T0246

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