Discourse on The Sutra of the Compendium of Father and Son (234)

Why Did King Boundless Praise Fall to the Human Realm?

Original Text: In that distant time, after a long period, he thought thus: 'The Lord of the Devas should be driven out. I alone shall be the ruler.' Having conceived this thought, the king and his troops instantly fell. [They fell] into the Garden of the Jeweled Casket in the city of Adorned Jewels. Seeing this, the keeper of the garden informed the people of the city, proclaiming thus: 'Now, a deva has fallen and perished here.'

Explanation: After King Boundless Praise had been in the Heaven of the Thirty-Three for a long time, he thought thus: 'I should drive out Śakra, the Lord of the Devas, and become the sole ruler of this heaven, governing this celestial realm.' After giving rise to this thought, King Boundless Praise and his fourfold army fell into the Garden of the Jeweled Casket in the human city of Adorned Jewels. Seeing them fall, the keeper of the garden informed the people of the city, saying: 'Just now, a deva fell from the heavens.'

Original Text: At that time, the king there was named Zuo'ai. Hearing this report, he swiftly prepared his carriage and went to that garden. Seeing the events described above, he was astonished by this unprecedented phenomenon. He immediately ordered the preparation of various fragrant flowers, powdered incense, and paste incense. Approaching that king, he bared his right shoulder, placed his right knee on the ground, knelt respectfully with palms joined, and inquired with comfort and salutations. He addressed that king, saying: 'Holy Deva, upon arriving here, who might you be?' That one replied: 'Have you ever heard of a Wheel-Turning King named Boundless Praise?' King Zuo'ai said: 'I have heard from the elders that in ancient times there was a king named Boundless Praise. His majestic virtue was supreme; he ruled over the four continents. With his fourfold army, he ascended through the sky to the Heaven of the Thirty-Three. Is the one you speak of someone other than him?' [Boundless Praise] replied: 'The one you have heard of is none other than myself.'

Explanation: At that time, the king of the city of Adorned Jewels was named Zuo'ai. Hearing of this event, he immediately prepared his carriage and hastened to the garden. Seeing such an occurrence, he found it strange, as nothing like it had ever happened before. The king ordered preparations of various fragrant flowers, powdered incense, and paste incense. He approached King Boundless Praise, bared his right shoulder, placed his right knee on the ground, knelt respectfully with palms joined, inquired after his well-being, and offered salutations. He addressed King Boundless Praise, saying: 'Holy Deva, upon arriving here, who are you?' King Boundless Praise said: 'Have you ever heard of the Boundless Praise King of ancient times?' King Zuo'ai said: 'I have heard the elders say that in ancient times there was a King Boundless Praise. His majestic virtue was supreme; he ruled over the world. With his fourfold army, he flew through the sky to the Heaven of the Thirty-Three.' King Boundless Praise said: 'The one you have heard of is none other than myself.'