Golden Light Sutra

The Golden Light Sutra or Suvarṇaprabhāsa Sūtra (Sanskrit: सुवर्णप्रभासोत्तमसूत्रेन्द्रराजः) is a Buddhist text of the Mahayana branch of Buddhism.

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.

[citation needed] In 741 Emperor Shōmu of Japan founded provincial monasteries for monks (国分寺) and nuns (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 (traditional Chinese: 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.

[citation needed] The Golden Light Sutra has been translated into Chinese, Saka ("Khotanese"), Old Uyghur by Shingqo Sheli Tutung,[11][12] Tangut, Classical Tibetan, Mongolian,[13] Manchu, Korean and Japanese.