Golden Light Sutra
Encyclopedia
The (Chinese
: 金光明經; pinyin
: jīn guāng míng jīng; Korean
: 금광명경; Japanese
: Konkōmyō Kyō), (Tibetan
: གསེར་འོད་དམ་པ་མདོ་སྡེའི་དབང་པོའི་རྒྱལ་པོའི་མདོ། Wiley: gser 'od dam pa mdo sde'i dbang po'i rgyal po'i mdo) is a Buddhist text
of the Mahayana
branch of Buddhism. The title can be་translated as the Sutra of Golden Light, the Golden Light Sutra or the Sutra of the Sublime Golden Light. In Tibetan, the full title is The Sovereign King of Sutras, the Sublime Golden Light. The sutra was originally written in India
in Sanskrit
and was translated several times into Chinese
by Dharmakṣema and others, and later translated into Tibetan and other languages. The sutra is an extremely important Mahayana sutra, and one of the most popular sutras of all time. It has been translated into Khotanese, Old Turkic, Tangut, Tibetan
, Mongolian
, Manchu
, Korean
, and Japanese
. The name of the sutra
derives from the chapter called 'The Confession of the Golden Drum', where the bodhisattva Ruchiraketu dreams of a great drum that radiates a sublime golden light, symbolizing the Dharma
, or teachings of the Buddha.
It became one of the most important sutra
s in Japan
because of its fundamental message, which teaches that the Four Guardian Gods
(四天王) protect the ruler who governs his country in the proper manner. The sutra also expounds the vows of the Hindu goddesses Sarasvati, Lakshmi
(Shri) and Drdha, the Earth Goddess, to protect any bhikshu, or monk, who will uphold and teach the sutra.
Taken at face value one might take the main theme of the sutra literally, which is the importance for leaders to be good examples for the kingdom. In Chapter Twelve, the sutra speaks in verse form about the disasters that befall a kingdom when its ruler does not uphold justice, and the benefits of kings who lead an exemplary life. In the Chapter on the Guardian Kings, the Four Guardian Kings have a dialogue with the Buddha, explaining in vivid detail all the benefits a kingdom will have if its ruler enshrines the essence of the sutra and offers daily praise. The sutra contains some elements of early tantra, in that in chapter two, the sutra describes four Buddhas who dwell in the four cardinal directions. These same four comprise later Buddhist mandalas in the same positions, such as the Matrix Mandala
.
Hence, historically the sutra won great esteem as a sutra for protecting the country, and often was read publicly to ward off threats. Its first reading as a court ceremony was around 660 AD, when the Tang Dynasty of China and Silla of Korea had defeated Baekche of Korea and were threatening Japan.
In 741 Emperor Shōmu
(聖武天皇) founded provincial monasteries (国分寺) and nunneries (国分尼寺) in each province. The official name of the monasteries was the Temple for Protection of the State by the Four Heavenly Kings Golden Light Sutra (金光明經四天王護国之寺). The 20 monks who lived there recited the Sovereign Kings Golden Light Sutra on a fixed schedule to protect the country. As Buddhism evolved in Japan, the practice gradually fell out of use, and is no longer continued today.
In some languages the sutra is preceded by a confession taught Zhang Judao (張居道) and a wife of an official, make a confession to the domestic animals they have killed and write the sutra and make a vow to these lives to early reincarnate into human realms. A Ming dynasty
monk also collect some sutra effect.
In Tibetan, there are three versions of the Sutra: the 21, 29, and 31 chapter versions.
In 2007, FPMT, Lama Zopa Rinpoche's Buddhist organization, produced a translation of the 21 chapter version of the Sutra, the most abbreviated and condensed version.
In late 2010, the Sugatagarbha Translation Group began the translation of the complete Sutra of Golden Light from Tibetan to English.
Now, the entire Sutra will be available for the first time in English. The translation of the 29 chapter version is expected to be completed by April 2012, and the 31 chapter version by April 2013.
In the 29 and 31 Chapter Versions, the Sutra of Golden Light reveals itself to be not just a sutra about protection, the Four Great Kings, and governance, but a profound discourse on the highest Mahayana teachings, such as emptiness, the three natures, the three kayas, and the bodhisattva levels.
The chapters of the 29 and 31 chapter versions are as follows:
The Chapters of the 29 Chapter Version
1. The Preamble (gleng.gzhi)
2. The Teaching on the Lifespan of the Tathagata
(de.bzhin.gshegs.pa’i.sku.tshe’i.tshad.bstan.pa)
3. The Detailed Analysis of the Three Kayas (sku.gsum.rnam.par.‘bye.ba)
4. The Confession in the Dream (rmi.lam.na.bshags.pa)
5. Cutting Off the Flow of Karmic Obscuration (las.kyi.sgrib.pa.rgyun.gcod.pa)
6. Intense Training on the Levels (sa.rnam.par.sbyong.ba)
7. The Praise to All the Fields of the Past, Present, and Future Perfectly Complete Buddhas
('das.pa.dang.da.ltar.byung.ba’i.dang.ma.'ong.pa'i.yang.dag.par.rdzogs.pa’i.sangs.rgyas.zhing.thams.cad.la.bstod.pa)
8. The Dharani Called 'Golden' (gser.can.zhes.bya’i.gzungs)
9. Emptiness (stong.pa.nyid.kyi.le’u)
10. Completely Fulfilling Wishes by Relying on Emptiness (stong.pa.nyid.la.brten.nas.bsam.pa.yongs.su.rdzogs.pa)
11. The Meticulous Observation of Gods and Humans by the Four Great Kings (rgyal.po.chen.po.bzhis.lha.dang.mi.la.rnam.par.lta.ba)
12. The Total Protection of the Country and Region by the Four Great Kings
(rgyal.po.chen.po.bzhis.yul.‘khor.yongs.su.skyong.ba)
13. The Dharani of Non-Attachment (chags.pa.med.pa’i.gzungs)
14. The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Dharani (yid.bzhin.gyi.nor.bu’i.gzungs)
15. Sarasvati (lha.mo.dbyangs.can.gyi.le’u)
16. The Goddess Shri (lha.mo.dpal.gyi.le’u)
17. Vast Increase in Wealth by the Goddess Shri (lha.mo.chen.mo.dpal.gyis.nor.yongs.su.spel.ba)
18. Dridha, the Earth Goddess (sa’i.lha.mo.brtan.ma’i.le’u)
19. Samjnaya, the Lord of Yakshas (gnod.sbyin.gyi.dbang.po.yang.dag.shes)
20. The Royal Treatise The Sacred Commitments of Divine Kings (rgyal.po’i.bstan.bcos.lha’i.dbang.po’i.dam.tshig)
21. Susambhava (legs.par.byung.ba’i.le’u)
22. The Abode of the Yakshas (gnod.sbyin.gyi.gnas)
23. The Prophecy of the Ten Thousand Sons of Gods (lha’i.bu.stong.phrag.bcu.lung.bstan.pa)
24. Strong Pacification of All Sickness (nad.thams.cad.rab.tu.zhi.bar.byas.pa)
25. The Previous Lives of Jalavahana's Fish Disciples (chu.‘bebs.kyis.gdul.bya’i.nya’i.sngon.byung.ba)
26. Completely Giving the Body to the Tigress (stag.mo.la.lus.yongs.su.btang.ba)
27. The Praise by all the Bodhisattvas (byang.chub.sems.dpa’.thams.cad.kyis.bstod.pa)
28. The Praise to all Tathagatas (de.bzhin.gshegs.pa.thams.cad.la.bstod.pa)
29. Conclusion (mjug.bsdus.kyi.le’u)
The Chapters of the 31 Chapter Version
1. The Preamble (gleng.gzhi)
2. The Teaching on the Lifespan of the Tathagata (de.bzhin.gshegs.pa’i.sku.tshe’i.tshad.bstan.pa)
3. The Detailed Analysis of the Three Kayas (sku.gsum.rnam.par.‘byed.pa)
4. Seeing the Confession in the Dream (rmi.lam.na.’gyod.tshangs.byed.pa.mthong.ba)
5. The Complete Purification of Karmic Obscuration (las.kyi.sgrib.pa.rnam.par.sbyong.ba)
6. The Dharani of Absolute Total Purity (shin.tu.rnam.par.dag.pa’i.gzungs)
7. The Praise Via the Example of the Lotus (pad.ma.lta.bu’i.dpes.bsngags.pa.brjod.pa)
8. The Golden King Dharani (gser.rgyal.gyi.gzungs)
9. The Teaching on the True Nature of Emptiness (stong.pa.nyid.kyi.rang.bzhin.bstan.pa)
10. The Complete Fulfillment of One's Prayers by Relying on Emptiness (stong.pa.nyid.la.brten.nas.smon.lam.yongs.su.rdzogs.par.‘gyur.ba)
11. The Four Great Kings' Observation and Examination of Humans and Gods (rgyal.po.chen.po.bzhis.lha.dang.mi.rnams.blta.zhing.brtagpa)
12. The Protection of the Country by the Four Great Kings (rgyalpo.chen.po.bzhi.po.dag.gis.yul.bsrung.ba)
13. The Dharani of Freedom from Deep Grasping (mngon.par.zhen.pa.med.pa’i.gzungs)
14. The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Dharani (yid.bzhin.gyi.nor.bu.rin.po.che’i.gzungs)
15. The Goddess Mahapratibhani, Great Courage (lha.mo.spobs.pa.chen.mo)
16. The Great Goddess of Glory, Shri (dpal.gyi.lha.mo.chen.mo)
17. The Increase of Wealth by the Great Goddesss of Glory, Shri (dpal.gyi.lha.mo.chen.mos.nor.‘phel.bar.byed.pa)
18. Dridha, the Earth Goddess (sa’i.lha.mo.brtan.ma)
19. Samjnaya, the Great General of the Yakshas (gnod.sbyin.gyis.de.dpon.chen.po.yang.dag.shes)
20. The Teaching on the Perfect Treatise on the Spiritual Tradition of Kings (rgyal.po’i.chos.lugs.yang.dag.pa’i.bstan.bcos.bstan.pa)
21. Sujanayati, the Well Born King (rgyal.po.legs.skyes)
22. The Thorough Protection and Care by the Gods and Yakshas (lha.dang.gnod.sbyin.rnams.kyi.syongs.su.bsrung.zhing.’dzin.par.byed.pa)
23. The Prophecy (lung.bstan.pa)
24. The Strong Pacifying of Sickness (nad.rab.tu.zhi.bar.byas.pa)
25. Jalavahana, the Merchant's Son (tshong.dpon.gyi.bu.chu.‘bebs)
26. The Complete Giving of the Body (lus.yongs.su.btang.ba)
27. The Praise by the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions (phyogs.bcu’i.byang.chub.sems.dpa.rnams.kyis.bsngags.pa.brjod.pa)
28. The Praise by Bodhisattva Ruchiraketu (byang.chub.sems.dpa’.mdzes.pa’i.tog.gi.bsngags.pa.brjod.pa)
29. The Praise by the Goddess of the Bodhi Tree (byang.chub.kyi.shing.gyi.lha.mos.bsngags.pa.brjod.pa)
30. The Praise by Mahapratibhani, the Goddess of Great Courage (lha.mo.spobs.pa.chen.mos.bsngags.pa.brjod.pa)
31. The Entrustment (yongs.su.gtad.pa)
More information on the Sutra of Golden Light can be found at The Complete Sutra of Golden Light.
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 金光明經; pinyin
Pinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
: jīn guāng míng jīng; Korean
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
: 금광명경; Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
: Konkōmyō Kyō), (Tibetan
Tibetan language
The Tibetan languages are a cluster of mutually-unintelligible Tibeto-Burman languages spoken primarily by Tibetan peoples who live across a wide area of eastern Central Asia bordering the Indian subcontinent, including the Tibetan Plateau and the northern Indian subcontinent in Baltistan, Ladakh,...
: གསེར་འོད་དམ་པ་མདོ་སྡེའི་དབང་པོའི་རྒྱལ་པོའི་མདོ། Wiley: gser 'od dam pa mdo sde'i dbang po'i rgyal po'i mdo) is a Buddhist text
Buddhist texts
Buddhist texts can be categorized in a number of ways. The Western terms "scripture" and "canonical" are applied to Buddhism in inconsistent ways by Western scholars: for example, one authority refers to "scriptures and other canonical texts", while another says that scriptures can be categorized...
of the Mahayana
Mahayana
Mahāyāna is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice...
branch of Buddhism. The title can be་translated as the Sutra of Golden Light, the Golden Light Sutra or the Sutra of the Sublime Golden Light. In Tibetan, the full title is The Sovereign King of Sutras, the Sublime Golden Light. The sutra was originally written in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
and was translated several times into Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
by Dharmakṣema and others, and later translated into Tibetan and other languages. The sutra is an extremely important Mahayana sutra, and one of the most popular sutras of all time. It has been translated into Khotanese, Old Turkic, Tangut, Tibetan
Tibetan language
The Tibetan languages are a cluster of mutually-unintelligible Tibeto-Burman languages spoken primarily by Tibetan peoples who live across a wide area of eastern Central Asia bordering the Indian subcontinent, including the Tibetan Plateau and the northern Indian subcontinent in Baltistan, Ladakh,...
, Mongolian
Mongolian language
The Mongolian language is the official language of Mongolia and the best-known member of the Mongolic language family. The number of speakers across all its dialects may be 5.2 million, including the vast majority of the residents of Mongolia and many of the Mongolian residents of the Inner...
, Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
, Korean
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
, and Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
. The name of the sutra
Sutra
Sūtra is an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew , as does the medical term...
derives from the chapter called 'The Confession of the Golden Drum', where the bodhisattva Ruchiraketu dreams of a great drum that radiates a sublime golden light, symbolizing the Dharma
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
, or teachings of the Buddha.
It became one of the most important sutra
Sutra
Sūtra is an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew , as does the medical term...
s in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
because of its fundamental message, which teaches that the Four Guardian Gods
Four Heavenly Kings
In the Buddhist faith, the Four Heavenly Kings are four gods, each of whom watches over one cardinal direction of the world.The Kings are collectively named as follows:...
(四天王) protect the ruler who governs his country in the proper manner. The sutra also expounds the vows of the Hindu goddesses Sarasvati, Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
(Shri) and Drdha, the Earth Goddess, to protect any bhikshu, or monk, who will uphold and teach the sutra.
Taken at face value one might take the main theme of the sutra literally, which is the importance for leaders to be good examples for the kingdom. In Chapter Twelve, the sutra speaks in verse form about the disasters that befall a kingdom when its ruler does not uphold justice, and the benefits of kings who lead an exemplary life. In the Chapter on the Guardian Kings, the Four Guardian Kings have a dialogue with the Buddha, explaining in vivid detail all the benefits a kingdom will have if its ruler enshrines the essence of the sutra and offers daily praise. The sutra contains some elements of early tantra, in that in chapter two, the sutra describes four Buddhas who dwell in the four cardinal directions. These same four comprise later Buddhist mandalas in the same positions, such as the Matrix Mandala
Womb Realm
In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Womb Realm is the metaphysical space inhabited by the Five Wisdom Kings. The Womb Realm is based on the Mahāvairocana Sutra...
.
Hence, historically the sutra won great esteem as a sutra for protecting the country, and often was read publicly to ward off threats. Its first reading as a court ceremony was around 660 AD, when the Tang Dynasty of China and Silla of Korea had defeated Baekche of Korea and were threatening Japan.
In 741 Emperor Shōmu
Emperor Shomu
was the 45th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Shōmu's reign spanned the years 724 through 723.-Traditional narrative:...
(聖武天皇) founded provincial monasteries (国分寺) and nunneries (国分尼寺) in each province. The official name of the monasteries was the Temple for Protection of the State by the Four Heavenly Kings Golden Light Sutra (金光明經四天王護国之寺). The 20 monks who lived there recited the Sovereign Kings Golden Light Sutra on a fixed schedule to protect the country. As Buddhism evolved in Japan, the practice gradually fell out of use, and is no longer continued today.
In some languages the sutra is preceded by a confession taught Zhang Judao (張居道) and a wife of an official, make a confession to the domestic animals they have killed and write the sutra and make a vow to these lives to early reincarnate into human realms. A Ming dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
monk also collect some sutra effect.
Translations and Publications
In the 1970s, Prof. Emmerick produced a translation of a short, condensed Sanskrit version of the Sutra of Golden Light into English.In Tibetan, there are three versions of the Sutra: the 21, 29, and 31 chapter versions.
In 2007, FPMT, Lama Zopa Rinpoche's Buddhist organization, produced a translation of the 21 chapter version of the Sutra, the most abbreviated and condensed version.
In late 2010, the Sugatagarbha Translation Group began the translation of the complete Sutra of Golden Light from Tibetan to English.
Now, the entire Sutra will be available for the first time in English. The translation of the 29 chapter version is expected to be completed by April 2012, and the 31 chapter version by April 2013.
In the 29 and 31 Chapter Versions, the Sutra of Golden Light reveals itself to be not just a sutra about protection, the Four Great Kings, and governance, but a profound discourse on the highest Mahayana teachings, such as emptiness, the three natures, the three kayas, and the bodhisattva levels.
The chapters of the 29 and 31 chapter versions are as follows:
The Chapters of the 29 Chapter Version
1. The Preamble (gleng.gzhi)
2. The Teaching on the Lifespan of the Tathagata
(de.bzhin.gshegs.pa’i.sku.tshe’i.tshad.bstan.pa)
3. The Detailed Analysis of the Three Kayas (sku.gsum.rnam.par.‘bye.ba)
4. The Confession in the Dream (rmi.lam.na.bshags.pa)
5. Cutting Off the Flow of Karmic Obscuration (las.kyi.sgrib.pa.rgyun.gcod.pa)
6. Intense Training on the Levels (sa.rnam.par.sbyong.ba)
7. The Praise to All the Fields of the Past, Present, and Future Perfectly Complete Buddhas
('das.pa.dang.da.ltar.byung.ba’i.dang.ma.'ong.pa'i.yang.dag.par.rdzogs.pa’i.sangs.rgyas.zhing.thams.cad.la.bstod.pa)
8. The Dharani Called 'Golden' (gser.can.zhes.bya’i.gzungs)
9. Emptiness (stong.pa.nyid.kyi.le’u)
10. Completely Fulfilling Wishes by Relying on Emptiness (stong.pa.nyid.la.brten.nas.bsam.pa.yongs.su.rdzogs.pa)
11. The Meticulous Observation of Gods and Humans by the Four Great Kings (rgyal.po.chen.po.bzhis.lha.dang.mi.la.rnam.par.lta.ba)
12. The Total Protection of the Country and Region by the Four Great Kings
(rgyal.po.chen.po.bzhis.yul.‘khor.yongs.su.skyong.ba)
13. The Dharani of Non-Attachment (chags.pa.med.pa’i.gzungs)
14. The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Dharani (yid.bzhin.gyi.nor.bu’i.gzungs)
15. Sarasvati (lha.mo.dbyangs.can.gyi.le’u)
16. The Goddess Shri (lha.mo.dpal.gyi.le’u)
17. Vast Increase in Wealth by the Goddess Shri (lha.mo.chen.mo.dpal.gyis.nor.yongs.su.spel.ba)
18. Dridha, the Earth Goddess (sa’i.lha.mo.brtan.ma’i.le’u)
19. Samjnaya, the Lord of Yakshas (gnod.sbyin.gyi.dbang.po.yang.dag.shes)
20. The Royal Treatise The Sacred Commitments of Divine Kings (rgyal.po’i.bstan.bcos.lha’i.dbang.po’i.dam.tshig)
21. Susambhava (legs.par.byung.ba’i.le’u)
22. The Abode of the Yakshas (gnod.sbyin.gyi.gnas)
23. The Prophecy of the Ten Thousand Sons of Gods (lha’i.bu.stong.phrag.bcu.lung.bstan.pa)
24. Strong Pacification of All Sickness (nad.thams.cad.rab.tu.zhi.bar.byas.pa)
25. The Previous Lives of Jalavahana's Fish Disciples (chu.‘bebs.kyis.gdul.bya’i.nya’i.sngon.byung.ba)
26. Completely Giving the Body to the Tigress (stag.mo.la.lus.yongs.su.btang.ba)
27. The Praise by all the Bodhisattvas (byang.chub.sems.dpa’.thams.cad.kyis.bstod.pa)
28. The Praise to all Tathagatas (de.bzhin.gshegs.pa.thams.cad.la.bstod.pa)
29. Conclusion (mjug.bsdus.kyi.le’u)
The Chapters of the 31 Chapter Version
1. The Preamble (gleng.gzhi)
2. The Teaching on the Lifespan of the Tathagata (de.bzhin.gshegs.pa’i.sku.tshe’i.tshad.bstan.pa)
3. The Detailed Analysis of the Three Kayas (sku.gsum.rnam.par.‘byed.pa)
4. Seeing the Confession in the Dream (rmi.lam.na.’gyod.tshangs.byed.pa.mthong.ba)
5. The Complete Purification of Karmic Obscuration (las.kyi.sgrib.pa.rnam.par.sbyong.ba)
6. The Dharani of Absolute Total Purity (shin.tu.rnam.par.dag.pa’i.gzungs)
7. The Praise Via the Example of the Lotus (pad.ma.lta.bu’i.dpes.bsngags.pa.brjod.pa)
8. The Golden King Dharani (gser.rgyal.gyi.gzungs)
9. The Teaching on the True Nature of Emptiness (stong.pa.nyid.kyi.rang.bzhin.bstan.pa)
10. The Complete Fulfillment of One's Prayers by Relying on Emptiness (stong.pa.nyid.la.brten.nas.smon.lam.yongs.su.rdzogs.par.‘gyur.ba)
11. The Four Great Kings' Observation and Examination of Humans and Gods (rgyal.po.chen.po.bzhis.lha.dang.mi.rnams.blta.zhing.brtagpa)
12. The Protection of the Country by the Four Great Kings (rgyalpo.chen.po.bzhi.po.dag.gis.yul.bsrung.ba)
13. The Dharani of Freedom from Deep Grasping (mngon.par.zhen.pa.med.pa’i.gzungs)
14. The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Dharani (yid.bzhin.gyi.nor.bu.rin.po.che’i.gzungs)
15. The Goddess Mahapratibhani, Great Courage (lha.mo.spobs.pa.chen.mo)
16. The Great Goddess of Glory, Shri (dpal.gyi.lha.mo.chen.mo)
17. The Increase of Wealth by the Great Goddesss of Glory, Shri (dpal.gyi.lha.mo.chen.mos.nor.‘phel.bar.byed.pa)
18. Dridha, the Earth Goddess (sa’i.lha.mo.brtan.ma)
19. Samjnaya, the Great General of the Yakshas (gnod.sbyin.gyis.de.dpon.chen.po.yang.dag.shes)
20. The Teaching on the Perfect Treatise on the Spiritual Tradition of Kings (rgyal.po’i.chos.lugs.yang.dag.pa’i.bstan.bcos.bstan.pa)
21. Sujanayati, the Well Born King (rgyal.po.legs.skyes)
22. The Thorough Protection and Care by the Gods and Yakshas (lha.dang.gnod.sbyin.rnams.kyi.syongs.su.bsrung.zhing.’dzin.par.byed.pa)
23. The Prophecy (lung.bstan.pa)
24. The Strong Pacifying of Sickness (nad.rab.tu.zhi.bar.byas.pa)
25. Jalavahana, the Merchant's Son (tshong.dpon.gyi.bu.chu.‘bebs)
26. The Complete Giving of the Body (lus.yongs.su.btang.ba)
27. The Praise by the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions (phyogs.bcu’i.byang.chub.sems.dpa.rnams.kyis.bsngags.pa.brjod.pa)
28. The Praise by Bodhisattva Ruchiraketu (byang.chub.sems.dpa’.mdzes.pa’i.tog.gi.bsngags.pa.brjod.pa)
29. The Praise by the Goddess of the Bodhi Tree (byang.chub.kyi.shing.gyi.lha.mos.bsngags.pa.brjod.pa)
30. The Praise by Mahapratibhani, the Goddess of Great Courage (lha.mo.spobs.pa.chen.mos.bsngags.pa.brjod.pa)
31. The Entrustment (yongs.su.gtad.pa)
More information on the Sutra of Golden Light can be found at The Complete Sutra of Golden Light.
Primary resources
- Sanskrit text: Bagchi, S ed. Suvarṇaprabhāsasūtram. Darbhanga: The Mithila Institute, 1967. Digital Sanskrit Buddhist Canon. (NB: in Unicode)
- The Complete Sutra of Golden Light http://www.sutraofgoldenlight.com
See also
- The Sutra of Golden Light: The 21 Chapter Version, published by the FPMT
- Humane King SutraHumane King SutraThe Humane King Sutra is one of the more influential of the East Asian Buddhist apocryphal scriptures—texts that although purported by their unknown authors to be translations of Indian works, were actually composed in China and Korea...
- Lotus SutraLotus SutraThe Lotus Sūtra is one of the most popular and influential Mahāyāna sūtras, and the basis on which the Tiantai and Nichiren sects of Buddhism were established.-Title:...
- The Complete Sutra of Golden Light: The Sugatagarbha Translation Group's Project to Translate the Larger Sutra of Golden Light: The 29 and 31 Chapter Versions