Overall Teaching

 When the Buddha was a Cakravartin-king, he heard this Sūtra from the monk Ratnoccaya (Akṣobhya), and after rejoicing, donated the four continents to his master’s (Ratnaśikhin’s) order. Consequently, he attained great rebirths, merits, and ultimately awakening and the Dharma Body.

Summary                                

1.     When a Cakravartin-king, the Buddha gave up the earth and presented it to the former Buddhas: there is no dear thing which he did not give up, including his life in the order of Ratnaśikhin:

a.     When Ratnaśikhin attained parinirvāṇa, a Cakravartin-king called Susaṃbhava arose. When asleep in his palace, he saw the preacher Ratnoccaya in the sun expounding this Sūtra.

b.     When he woke, Susaṃbhava paid homage to the śrāvakas: they asked him where Ratnoccaya was—he was in a cave studying this Sūtra. He continually proclaimed this sūtra.

c.     Susaṃbhava honoured Ratnoccaya’s feet and asked him to expound the Sūtra.

d.     Ratnoccaya accepted, and after the place was adorned by the gods, Ratnoccaya came out, having bathed with pure clothing, and paid homage to seat, and then sat down and taught this Sūtra.

e.     The king rejoiced, and then took hold of the Cintāmaṇi (wish fulfilling gem, one of the treasures owned by a Cakravartin) and wished that may there rain down jewels and may beings in this continent be blessed: and it was so.

f.      When the king saw this, he presented the four continents to the order of Ratnaśikhin.

2.     The Buddha reveals that he was King Susaṃbhava and Akọbhya Buddha was Ratnoccaya.

a.     As a result of hearing this sūtra and rejoicing, the Buddha obtained a body of golden colour and delightful appearance for all the gods.

b.     He remained a Cakravartin-king for 99-billion aeons, then for 100,000s of aeons he was a lesser king, and for inconceivable aeons he was a Śakra and Brahma with tranquil mind.

3. He pleased immeasurable Buddhas and attained immeasurable merits: including his desire of attaining awakening and the Dharma Body.