Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Heavenly Kings observe

At this time, the Heavenly king Much Listening, the Heavenly king Protecting Nations, the Heavenly king Growth and Increase, the Heavenly king Great Position (Quảng mục), the four Heavenly kings, from their seats stand up, let bare the right shoulder, kneel down the right knee, hold the palms together respectfully and bow down to the feet of the Blessed One, saying, Blessed One, this Sutra of the Golden Light is often known to the Tathagatas, respected by the bodhisattvas, all groups of heavenly dragons often give offering, all devas often rejoice, all Dharma protectors often praise. This Sutra is upheld by the Disciples and Solitary Enlightened beings. This Sutra has the power to light up and blaze the palaces of the devas, the power of give great joys to sentient beings, the power to stop all sufferings in the evil ways, the power to eliminate all fears, disband all inimical forces, make full one who hungers and thirsts, cure all epidemic, dissolve hundreds of thousand suffering. Blessed One, this Sutra of the Golden Light has the power to give such benefits, even for us. Pray the Tathagata please elaborate more on this. We, the Four heavenly great kings, together with our retinues, having heard such supreme taste of the dews of immortality, will strengthen our bodies, increase our might and light, we will also strengthen our power of exertion of effort and supernatural abilities.

Blessed One, we the Four Heavenly kings follow the righteous Dharma, often using the Dharma to serve the world. We also encourage the 8 kinds of Nagas and the human kings to follow the Dharma and serve the world, stopping and eliminating all wickedness. All kinds of demons that have to compassion, often stealing the subtle force within the human body; we will chase them away. Blessed One, we the Four Heavenly kings, together with the great generals of the 28 kinds of Yaksa and countless hundreds of thousands of Yaksa retinues, will use the pure heavenly eyes (which is more far-seeing and transparent compared to fleshy eyes), to observe and support this Jambudvipa world. As such, Blessed One, we are known as the protector of the world.

In this great Jambudvipa world, if there is any king who often suffers from the threat of foreign forces, his citizens is often hunger-stricken and having many illnesses; they experience such hundreds of thousand disasters, then we, Blessed One, will offer to them the Sutra of the Golden Light. And if there is any monk who upholds and recites this Sutra, we together will come to his place and make request of him; that monk, thanks to our might and request, will travel to such nation and speak widely and disseminate this Sutra of the Golden Light. Thanks to the might of this Sutra, all hundreds of thousands of disasters will be averted. Blessed One, once the monk who upholds this Sutra travel to that kingdom, they should know that this Sutra also arrives in their kingdom. As such, Blessed One, those kings should gather at the place where that monk is, to listen to this Sutra. Having listened, they will rejoice, respectfully give offering to the monk, whole-heartedly protecting him sho that he will be free of worry and concentrates on speaking this Sutra, to benefit all. Blessed One, just for this Sutra, we the Four Heavenly Kings will together protect that king and his citizens, helping them stay away from harms, often abiding in peace. Blessed One, if there is any monks, nuns, male holder of lay precepts, female holder of lay precepts, who uphold this Sutra, that king should give offering and provide them with all necessities, not missing in anything; if that king can do that, we the four Heavenly Kings will protect that king and his citizens, helping them stay away from harms, often abiding in peace. Blessed One, if there is anyone who recite and uphold this Sutra, and the king respectfully gives offering, respects, and praise (to them), we will make that king become the most respected one among the kings, all other kings will often praise that king.

The assembly having heard these words, rejoices, accept and keep in mind.