Commentary on the Sutra of the Anthology of Father and Son (226)

King Boundless Tests the Power of His Virtuous Roots

Original Text: "O great king, King Boundless Renown thus contemplated: 'I shall now further test the power of my virtuous roots. May all beings throughout the Four Continents obtain whatever they desire according to their wishes without obstruction.' Having conceived this thought, all beings throughout the Four Continents obtained every aspiration according to their wishes."

Explanation: The Buddha said: "Great king, King Boundless Renown, the Chakravartin, again gave rise to a thought: 'I now wish to test the extent of the power of my virtuous roots—to enable all beings throughout the Four Continents to obtain whatever they seek according to their wishes, without any obstruction.' After King Boundless Renown conceived this thought, all beings throughout the Four Continents saw every aspiration fulfilled according to their wishes.

Could the Four Continents be counted? They are beyond counting. Currently, Jambudvīpa alone has billions of people, while the other three great continents have even larger populations. If each person’s single wish could be fulfilled to their satisfaction, imagine the immense power of such mental resolve! This constitutes benefiting and bringing joy to sentient beings. After King Boundless conceived this thought, the people of the Four Continents truly obtained whatever they desired. In our present world, due to the meager merit of sentient beings, no Chakravartin manifests, for such kings no longer appear."

Original Text: "O great king, King Boundless Renown further contemplated: 'By the power of all my virtuous roots, may exquisite flowers rain down universally upon the Four Continents.' Having conceived this thought, various supremely exquisite heavenly flowers rained down upon the Four Continents."

Explanation: The Buddha said: "Great king, King Boundless Renown again gave rise to a thought: 'By the power of all my virtuous roots, may exquisite flowers rain down universally upon the Four Continents.' After conceiving this thought, various supremely exquisite heavenly flowers rained down upon the Four Continents like a shower.

Earthly flowers lack sufficient beauty; compared to heavenly flowers, they appear coarse. Heavenly flowers are exquisitely sublime, with fragrances and hues far more resplendent than those in the human realm. Nevertheless, even this act consumed an immense amount of King Boundless’s accumulated merit. He exhausted the merit cultivated over countless eons before innumerable Buddhas, leaving no reserves. Once the ālaya-vijñāna holds no reserves, his merit vanishes, and all his endeavors cease to bear fruit. Therefore, we who study the Buddha’s teachings must not casually deplete our own merit. We should minimize indulgence in blessings and preserve them for attaining Buddhahood."

Original Text: "O great king, King Boundless Renown further contemplated: 'By the power of all my virtuous roots, may precious garments rain down upon the Four Continents.' Having conceived this thought, precious garments rained down upon the Four Continents."

Explanation: The Buddha said: "Great king, King Boundless Renown again conceived this thought: 'By the power of all my virtuous roots, may precious garments rain down upon the Four Continents like a shower.' After conceiving this thought, precious garments indeed rained down universally upon the Four Continents."

Original Text: "O great king, King Boundless Renown further contemplated: 'By the power of all my virtuous roots, may silver rain down upon the entire Four Continents.' Having conceived this thought, silver rained down throughout the Four Continents."

Explanation: The Buddha said: "Great king, King Boundless Renown again conceived the following thought: 'By the power of my virtuous roots, may silver rain down upon the entire Four Continents.' After conceiving this thought, silver indeed rained down like a shower throughout the Four Continents. His greed continuously increased. As soon as this thought of raining silver arose, silver truly showered from the sky."

Original Text: "O great king, King Boundless Renown further contemplated: 'By the power of all my virtuous roots, may gold rain down upon the Four Continents.' Having conceived this thought, gold rained down throughout the Four Continents. Why was this possible? It was entirely due to the fact that King Boundless Renown, in past ages, had cultivated virtuous deeds together with all sentient beings, thereby attaining such fruition."

Explanation: The Buddha said: "Great king, King Boundless Renown again conceived the following thought: 'By the power of my virtuous roots, may gold rain down upon the Four Continents.' After conceiving this thought, gold indeed rained down throughout the Four Continents. Why was he able to do this—to rain gold when he wished for gold, to rain silver when he wished for silver? All this was because this Chakravartin king, in past ages, had cultivated virtuous karma together with all those sentient beings, thus enabling him to attain such karmic retribution."