Ancient Buddhism in Japan, Vol. 2

revenues of the province.” In A.D. 696 (on the 1st day of the 12th month), the same text was again ordered to be lectured upon.

In A.D. 702 (on the 13th day of the 12th month), when Emperor Mommu was ill, a general amnesty was granted throughout the Empire. One hundred men were ordered to be ordained as monks, and instructions were given to explain the Golden Light Sutra original: Konkwōmyōkyō in the four Home provinces The Kinai region surrounding the capital.¹

In A.D. 703 (on the 13th day of the 7th month), the sutra was read by Imperial order in the four great temples of Nara: Yakushiji, Gwangōji, Kōfukuji, and Daianji (藥師寺, 元興寺, 興福寺, 大安寺). (Temples 1 and 3 belonged to the Hossō sect, while 2 and 4 belonged to the Sanron sect). Four days later, messengers were sent to the Shintō gods of famous mountains and great rivers to pray for rain.²

In A.D. 705, in the fourth month, during a period of severe drought, Emperor Mommu had the same sutra read in the five great temples of Nara (Hōryūji was likely the fifth) in order to "save the people from suffering" original: 為救民苦, wei jiu min ku.³

In A.D. 728 (on the 28th day of the 12th month, during the reign of Emperor Shōmu, 724—749), 640 chapters of the Golden Light Sutra, contained in 64 cases original: 帙, chitsu; protective cloth or paper covers for scrolls, were distributed, with 10 chapters sent to each province. The provinces already possessed either eight or four chapters of the text. Based on the day the copies arrived in the various provinces, officials were ordered to have them partially read original: tendoku (轉讀); a "revolving reading" where the title and select passages are chanted rather than the full text for the sake of the "peace of the State" original: 為令國家平安, kokka heian narashimen ga tame nari.⁴

In A.D. 734 (on the 21st day of the 11th month), I-tsing’s translation of the text, called the Sovereign Kings of Golden Light Sutra original: Saishōōkyō, was mentioned for the first time. The Dajōkwan The Great Council of State, in a formal report to the Throne, stated that lately the monks and nuns who were supposed to spread Buddhist doctrine had not been diligent in their studies. It was declared that from then on, all those who wished to enter the religious order should learn by [heart...]

¹ Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan), Chapter II, p. 25.
² Shoku Nihongi, Chapter III, p. 29.
³ Shoku Nihongi, Chapter III, p. 34.
⁴ Shoku Nihongi, Chapter X, p. 168.