首楞嚴義疏注經 1.3

1.3

The Great Buddha-Crest Śūraṅgama Sūtra of the Definitive Meaning of the Secret Cause is the great model of India and the precious scripture of the garden of Dharma. Formerly, the Benevolent Sage, having manifested his advent across the five Indias and being uniquely honored throughout the three realms, relied on the golden wheel to instruct living beings and manifested the jade curl to respond to the world. Observing that the four kinds of born beings suffer, he graciously relieved all creatures; pitying that the host of capacities had not awakened, he vigorously offered skillful guidance. Thereupon, in harmony with ultimate principle, he proclaimed the subtle words, opened the gate of great compassion, and expanded the ocean of tathatā. Considering that all dharmas arise solely reliant on delusional thoughts, and all sentient beings exist nowhere outside causes and conditions, one thus knows that greed and desire are the root of the cycle of birth and death, while dhyāna and wisdom are the essential principle for cultivating and realizing eternal bliss. Thus, through this sūtra, one can identify various demons and destroy the seven destinies; that is, through śamatha and vipaśyanā, cultivate the wondrously bright mind of the perfect teaching, and by bringing forth reality and returning to the origin, realize the supreme and consummate exposition. How admirable that Pāramiti translated its meaning and Chancellor Fang transcribed its prose! Now Master Xuan of Wu along the river, possessing both exalted learning and unhindered eloquence, took this scripture to be the teaching of an entire generation, dividing its wondrous principle into ten portals. His merit assists the trichiliocosm; his path transmits the non-dual. Staring straight and clapping hands, he clarified delusion; destroying marks and extinguishing the mind, he converged with the ultimate principle. If one faithfully accepts it, it becomes a bridge for the world; if one awakens to it, one enters the knowledge and vision of the Buddha. He thus elucidated the sūtra to make a commentary, and by means of the commentary clarified the principle; therefore, it can resolve previous doubts, clear away subsequent blockages, part the clouds of confusion, and reveal the sun of wisdom. Only thereafter does one know that form and emptiness are not different, both returning together to the reality limit; sentient beings and the Buddha do not differ, being not apart from the square inch [of the heart-mind]. Sui's intentions are bent on external protection; ashamed of having no inner learning, having been granted the opportunity to peruse it, I have hastily composed this preface. Taking refuge in the Dharma-treasure, I am fortunate to investigate the true teachings minutely; praising the Buddha-vehicle, I vow that all will universally partake in the sublime fruit.