一序分(諸經多明三分謂序正流通而序分又有證信發起之殊今經序分缺證信而流通則全缺例與心經一揆也)
釋迦牟尼佛初轉法輪度阿若憍陳如最後說法度須䟦陀羅所應度者皆已度訖於娑羅雙樹間將入涅槃是時中夜寂然無聲為諸弟子略說法要。
釋迦此云能仁姓也牟尼此翻寂默字也憍陳如見上須䟦陀羅此云善賢外道也住鳩尸那城年一百二十聞佛涅槃方往佛所佛為廣說四諦證阿羅漢娑羅此云堅固言雙樹者上枝相合下根相連一枯一榮表破斷常二見中夜表中道也寂然表自性離念無聲表自性離言也此經序分與諸經不同以諸經唯序當經此經總序一化故不可以常例局之最初說法度憍陳如序始也最後度須䟦陀羅序終也於雙樹間將入涅槃序發起也是時中夜寂然無聲者示涅槃前相也為諸弟子略說法要者前已廣說今但略舉其要而已是知此經乃如來最後深慈文雖不多言皆切要凡真心出家者切宜留意焉。
Shakyamuni: "Shakya" means "capable of benevolence" and is his clan name; "Muni" translates as "silent sage" and is his personal name. Kaundinya has been explained above. Subhadra translates as "Excellent Virtue" and was an ascetic from outside the teaching. He lived in the city of Kushinagar and, at 120 years old, heard that the Buddha was about to enter Nirvana and went to visit him. The Buddha gave him an extensive explanation of the Four Noble Truths, and he attained Arhatship. Sala means "firm." "Twin trees" refers to branches intertwining above and roots connecting below—one tree withered and one flourishing, symbolizing the shattering of the two views of permanence and annihilation. "Midnight" symbolizes the Middle Way. "Utter stillness" symbolizes that the Self-Nature is free from thoughts; "no sound" symbolizes that the Self-Nature is free from words.
The introductory section of this sutra differs from all other sutras. Other sutras only preface the immediate teaching, but this sutra prefaces the entire teaching of the Buddha's life. Thus, it cannot be limited by conventional patterns. The first sermon, converting Kaundinya, marks the beginning of the story; the final conversion of Subhadra marks the end. The scene beneath the twin trees, just before entering Nirvana, is the section that initiates the teaching. At that time, in the middle of the night, utter silence and no sound reveal the appearance preceding Nirvana. "Briefly spoke the essentials of the Dharma to the disciples" means that, since the teaching had already been broadly given earlier, now only a summary of key points is offered. From this, we understand that this sutra is the final profound kindness of the Thus-Come One. Though its words are few, each one is essential. Anyone who has sincerely left home should pay close attention to it.