Reminding the kings to protect the Dharma
There was once when the Buddha gathered in assembly sixteen kingsto give them a
discourse on the Sutra and the Fourteen Proper Actions etc.. Among them was
King Prasenajit. The Buddha reminded them: “When your countries
experience disasters, you should ask a hundred Dharma Masters to recite this
Sutra twice a day. Countless devas and spirits who hear this Sutra will come to
protect your land, and all calamities will be banished.”
At this moment, the Buddha addressed King
Prasenajit: “After I have gone, and when my teachings approach
destruction, all sentient beings will be doing evil. As a result, the various
countries will experience different kinds of misfortune, and the people will be
in turmoil. At such a time, you must hold on to this Sutra to protect your
people and land. Do you know why I have to entrust you with such a great
responsibility and not with the Bikshus, Bikshunis, Upasakas and Upasikas? It
is because they do not possess the mighty power of political leaders and
monarchs. Although the Buddhist community can propagate right Dharma, the
Triple Gem will need the patronage of the kings.”
When King Prasenajit heard this, he stood up
and asked:" Buddha! I know that kings have wealth as their means of supporting
the Triple Gem, but can they really uphold proper Dharma in the era of its
decline?"
“That is why I am now warning all kings
and leaders with utmost earnestness. When the decline of the Dharma comes, all
kings and ministers will be arrogant. They will despise my teaching, destroy
the Dharma, restrict my followers, criticise the renounced and rebuke those who
build Buddha images and pagodas. There will be very little who would support
the Dharma. From this day forward, therefore, you must encourage more people to
become Bikshus and Bikshunis, build temples, engrave the Sutras and carve
Buddha images.”
These sixteen kings were eventually the ones
who became the most loyal patrons of the Dharma.
[The Buddha's fervent appeal to the
kings is an indication of the important relationship between the Buddhadharma
and the ways of kings. The spread of Buddhism relies to a great extent on the
assistance and patronage of the political leaders.]