新譯仁王般若經陀羅尼念誦儀軌序
Preface to the Newly Translated Ritual for Reciting the Dharani of the Sutra of Humane Kings and Perfection of Wisdom
大興善寺翻經沙門慧靈述
Record of the Sutra Translation by the Shramana Huiling at Daxingshan Temple
我皇帝聖德廣運、仁育群品。亦既纂曆吹大法螺，刊梵言之輕重，警迷徒之耳目，偉矣哉！迺辟興善寺大廣智三藏不空，與義學沙門良賁等一十四人，開府魚朝恩、翰林學士常袞等，去歲夏四月於南桃園再譯斯經。秋九月，詔資聖西明百座敷闡，下紫微而五雲抱出，經長衢而萬姓作禮，阡郭充滿猶牆堵焉。稽緇衣、覽青史，自摩騰入漢、僧會遊吳，瑞法之來莫與京者。經云「若未來世有諸國王，建立正法護三寶者，我令五方菩薩往護其國令無災難。」又云「五菩薩自於佛前發弘誓言：『我有陀羅尼，能加持擁護，是一切佛本所修行速疾之門。若人得聞一經於耳，所有罪障悉皆消滅，況復習誦而令通利。』佛即讚言：『若誦持此陀羅尼者，我及十方諸佛悉常擁護，諸惡鬼神敬之如佛，不久當得阿耨菩提。』」則知此陀羅尼，字母之根底、眾瑜伽之藪澤，如彼水木歸其本源，故菩薩演之、王者建之、黎人念之、諸佛讚之，俾爾昌而熾、俾爾福而利，於可以見聖人之心。其益既弘、其軌亦妙，苟于誠不克，曷降之以嘉？三藏是以譯貝多之文，良賁法師乃受從簡素，始夫處所方便，終其觀行儀則，修為五門，第以位次，一一昭著，庶無懵焉。凡我道俗，將保厥躬，遂求願踐菩提之路、登仁壽之域者，何莫由斯之道哉。
Our Emperor’s sacred virtue is vast and far-reaching, nurturing all beings with benevolence. Having ascended the throne, he blows the great Dharma conch, correcting the nuances of Sanskrit texts and awakening the confused eyes and ears of deluded practitioners. How magnificent! Thus, he established the renowned monk Amoghavajra of the Great Extensive Wisdom at Xingshan Temple, along with fourteen learned monks including Liang Bi, the influential official Yu Chao'en, and the Hanlin scholar Chang Gun. Last summer, in the fourth month, they re-translated this sutra at the Southern Peach Garden. In the ninth month, an imperial decree ordered a hundred lectures at Zisheng and Xi Ming temples. As the sutra was brought forth from the Forbidden City, auspicious clouds gathered in five colors, winding through the main streets, with thousands of people bowing in reverence, filling every lane and alley like walls. Looking back at Buddhist history, from the arrival of Kāśyapa Mātanga in Han times to the travels of Kang Senghui in Wu, never had such a magnificent Dharma transmission occurred.
The sutra says: “In future ages, if there are kings who establish true Dharma and protect the Three Jewels, I will send the five great Bodhisattvas to guard their countries, ensuring they suffer no calamities.” It also says: “The five Bodhisattvas made a great vow before the Buddha, declaring: ‘We possess a Dharani that can empower and protect. It is the swift gate through which all Buddhas have practiced. If anyone hears this Dharani even once, all their karmic obstacles are completely dissolved—how much more so if they recite and master it!’ The Buddha praised them, saying: ‘Those who recite and uphold this Dharani will always be protected by me and all the Buddhas of the ten directions. Evil spirits will revere them as they would a Buddha, and before long, they will attain unsurpassed enlightenment.’”
Thus, we know this Dharani is the root of all letters and the vast treasury of all yogas—like water returning to its source or trees to their roots. Therefore, Bodhisattvas expound it, kings establish it, common people recite it, and Buddhas praise it. May you flourish and prosper! May you be blessed and benefited! Through this, we can glimpse the enlightened mind. Its benefits are immense, and its methods are sublime; if one’s sincerity is lacking, how can such blessings be bestowed? Thus, the Tripitaka master translated this palm-leaf text, and Dharma Master Liang Bi compiled it into simple language. Beginning with the proper setting and methods, and ending with the meditation practices and ritual guidelines, he organized it into five sections, arranged in proper order, each clearly explained so that no one remains confused.
For all of us, monastics and laypeople alike, who wish to preserve our bodies and seek to walk the path of enlightenment and ascend to the realm of blissful longevity—what other way is there but this?
仁王護國般若波羅蜜多經陀羅尼念誦儀軌(出《金剛瑜伽經》)
Benevolent Kings’护国 Prajñāpāramitā Dhāraṇī Recitation Ritual(Extracted from the *Vajra Yoga Scripture*)
開府儀同三司特進試鴻臚卿肅國公食邑三千戶賜紫贈司空謚大鑒正號大廣智大興善寺三藏沙門不空奉 詔譯
Translated by the Monk Bukong, Tripitaka Master of Daxingshan Temple, with the Titles of Kaifu Yitong Sans