Golden King Sutra

Translated by the Indian Upasaka Gautama Prajñāruci during the Eastern Wei Dynasty.

This is what I heard:

At that time, the Bhagavan was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī, in the Jeta Grove, the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍada, together with a great assembly of 1,250 bhikṣus.

At that time, the World-Honored One was attended, served, honored, and revered by many bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, upāsikās, kings, ministers, officials, various non-Buddhist ascetics, śramaṇas, brāhmaṇas, parivrājakas, as well as devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kiṃnaras, and mahoragas, who provided for all his needs. The World-Honored One thus received abundant pure offerings—clothing, food, bedding, medicine for the sick, and all things enjoyed by humans and devas—yet the Buddha, the World-Honored One, was neither attached to nor tainted by them, just as a lotus flower remains unstained by the water. His excellent and virtuous fame spread throughout the world, praised by all.

At that time, the World-Honored One—the Tathāgata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the One of Perfect Wisdom and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed One, the Tamer of Beings, the Teacher of Gods and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One—knowing what was timely and appropriate for the beings of the world—gods, humans, demons, Brahmā, ascetics, and brahmins—taught the Dharma accordingly. The Dharma he taught was excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, and excellent in the end. It was perfect in meaning and expression, complete, pure, and radiant—the holy life in its fullness.

At that time, the World-Honored One addressed the monks, saying: "Monks! If there are beings who understand giving and the fruits of giving—as I understand the fruits of giving—then when they eat, whether it is the first morsel or the last morsel, they will not eat without first setting aside a portion to give. Free from the stain of envy, they are able to give. Monks! If there are beings who do not understand giving and the fruits of giving—as I understand the fruits of giving—then when such beings eat, whether it is the first morsel or the last morsel, they do not set aside a portion to give to others but eat it themselves. With the stain of envy, they are unable to give. Why is this? Monks! In the past, there was a king named Golden Color, who was exceptionally handsome, endowed with perfect features, and possessed the most excellent and beautiful form. This King Golden Color enjoyed great wealth and pleasure, had abundant treasures, many possessions, and ample goods. He had much money, grain, pearls, mother-of-pearl, coral, gold, silver, and refined gold. He had many elephants and horses, many herds of cattle, and many mares filling his stables. The capital of King Golden Color was called Abundant Gold City, where he resided. The city measured twelve yojanas from east to west and seven yojanas from north to south. It was filled with people, with no empty spaces, peaceful and prosperous. There were fifty-seven billion villages and settlements, all filled with people, peaceful and prosperous. There were sixty thousand mountains and rivers, each with a great city ruled by a lord, all filled with people, peaceful and prosperous. King Golden Color had eighteen thousand ministers and twenty thousand palace ladies. He understood the duties of a king and ruled according to the law, governing the kingdom righteously. King Golden Color was able to give away everything he had, leaving nothing ungiven, even his own flesh. At that time, the lifespan of humans was eighty-four thousand years."

At another time, the Golden King, in a quiet and secluded place, calmly reflected and had this thought: "I shall not levy taxes on any merchants, nor impose duties on any of the people." Having thus contemplated, the Golden King summoned his ministers, attendants, and all officials from within and without the court, and issued this decree: "From this day forward, no duties or taxes shall be imposed on any of the people or any merchants. Throughout the entire Jambudvīpa, all people are exempt from taxes." By this means, the Golden King ruled the country justly and lawfully for many years.

At another time, an ominous star appeared, foretelling twelve years without rain. A Brahmin skilled in divination and incantations, who understood the movements of stars like Venus, saw the ill-omened star and, after interpreting its signs, went to King Golden Light. Upon arriving, he reported to the king in detail, saying, "Your Majesty, you should know that an ominous star has appeared, bringing misfortune. It foretells twelve years without rain."