Toh 243The Sūtra of the King of the True Dharma

Exposition of the Sūtra of the King of the True Dharma

Background

The Sūtra of the King of the True Dharma (Saddharmarājasūtra) is a scripture of the Mahāyāna tradition preserved in the Northern canon. This sūtra belongs to the Kangyur, that is, the translated sūtra collection of Tibetan Buddhist learning, compiled in the eighth century in Tibet under the direction of outstanding Buddhist scholars.

In the context of Mahāyāna Buddhism, the “True Dharma” (Saddharma) is understood as the genuine teaching of the Buddha, not teachings that have been distorted or gone astray. The image of the “King” (Rāja) expresses that the True Dharma occupies the highest position, standing above all other teachings. This sūtra emphasizes the importance of maintaining, protecting, and propagating the True Dharma across different eras, especially in times when it is particularly difficult for the True Dharma to endure.

Main Content

The Sūtra of the King of the True Dharma focuses on principles of ethics and responsibility in protecting the True Dharma. The sūtra emphasizes that kings, leaders, and lay practitioners have a particularly important role in maintaining the Buddha’s teaching within society.

According to the Mahāyāna tradition, this sūtra teaches that the practice of the True Dharma is not only the responsibility of monastics, but the shared responsibility of the entire Buddhist society. Kings and those who hold power are encouraged to use their influence to create favorable conditions for the development of Buddhism, to protect monastics, and to encourage everyone to practice the True Dharma.

This sūtra also reminds us that the True Dharma is a priceless national treasure, more precious than any material treasury. When the True Dharma is protected and developed, the nation will be peaceful, the people will be happy, and historical figures will be honored.