無量壽經連義述文贊 3.207

3.207

嗟乎此經而有幾疏。猶如佛陀而帶妙莊嚴乎。彼異珍妙工綺飾莊嚴。百千錯落張羅于外。則佛陀之德逾可仰。而群萌之信更固其根矣。此經也深妙測知難矣。然疏以翼之。則或裂疑網或洗拘泥。汲索玄旨之源而信根為之屢潤。疏也實是經之莊嚴。而世之一大觀者也。以故淨影作焉嘉祥作焉。義寂法位等諸名流皆作焉而興。大師窮工于茲。可謂殊勤矣。予曾憂此書流行之不遠。今採而校讎繡之于梓以張于世。世之擇法眼乞觀而仰焉。時元祿己卯臘月朔日。

Alas, does this sūtra not possess various commentaries just as the Buddha bears wonderful adornments? When rare treasures, wondrous craftsmanship, and magnificent decorations adorn [him], intricately and brilliantly arrayed on the outside in hundreds of thousands, the Buddha's virtue is all the more worthy of veneration, and the faith of sentient beings roots itself even more firmly. This sūtra is profound and subtle, difficult to fathom. Yet when commentaries give it wings, they may tear apart the net of doubts or wash away clinging biases; by drawing from the fountainhead of its profound intent, the roots of faith are repeatedly nourished thereby. Commentaries are indeed the adornments of this sūtra, and a grand spectacle of the world! For this reason, Jingying composed [a commentary], Jiaxiang composed [one], and eminent masters such as Uijeok and Fawei all composed them; and Master [Gyeong]heung exerted his utmost skill on this work, which may be called truly diligent! I once worried that this book would not circulate far. Now, having gathered and collated it, I have carved it on printing blocks to disseminate it throughout the world. May those of the world with discerning Dharma-eyes deign to examine and revere it! At the time of the first day of the twelfth month, the yimao year of Genroku [1699].