Imperial Preface to the Collected Commentaries on the Diamond Sutra

I consider the Buddha's Way to be vast, profound, subtle, and wondrous. It is spiritually marvelous and responsive, using compassion to benefit all beings and wisdom to awaken people. It transcends all existence and stands alone in honor, enduring through countless eons without decay. It existed before heaven and earth, yet its beginning cannot be seen; it will remain after heaven and earth, yet its end cannot be found. This can be observed in the *Diamond Sutra*.

This sutra reveals the profound meaning of the Three Vehicles and unveils the mystery of all dharmas. It discusses the emptiness that is not empty and reveals the form that is without form. It points out what is illusory, showing that it is like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, or a shadow. It traces back to the ultimate source, which can be seen in the notions of self, person, sentient beings, and life span. Truly, it is the secret of mind-to-mind transmission of all Buddhas, the essence of the Mahayana's exposition of the Way, and the key for all beings to realize their true mind and nature.

The source of the one mind is originally pure and clear. However, when the mind follows external conditions, false thoughts arise—like clouds forming in the vast sky, creating obstructions, or like a precious mirror covered in dust, its radiance hidden. Thus, chasing after conditions leads to falling into illusion; how can one then return from falsity to truth?

Only the Tathagata, with unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, out of great compassion and profound vows, took pity on the world's confusion and concern for beings' ignorance, and expounded this sutra. He opened wide the gate of skillful means, enabling all to break free from attachments and bonds, to wash away defilements and leave the dust behind, to escape the path of birth and death, and to reach the shore of enlightenment—transforming delusion into wisdom, replacing darkness with light. The merit and virtue of this sutra are indeed vast and great.

Nevertheless, the Dharma is realized through the mind, yet without the sutra, the Dharma would have no vehicle. The sutra is transmitted through people, yet without words, the sutra could not be made clear. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, there have been dozens, even hundreds, of commentaries on this sutra. Although various explanations have been analyzed, none have managed to harmonize the multitude of views.

I have long revered the Great Awakening and admired the True Thusness. Reviewing various texts, I have selected the most essential and accurate, those that do not deviate from the sutra's meaning, and have compiled them anew. I have specially ordered them printed to spread them widely, so that the true words may be thoroughly understood and the secret meanings clearly illuminated. For those who see it, it will be like beholding the sun and moon in the mid-heavens; for those who awaken through it, it will be like retrieving a precious pearl from the vast ocean. Is this not joyful? Is this not magnificent?

Alas! Good people and virtuous individuals, if you can diligently and sincerely practice, devoutly revere, receive, and uphold this sutra, seeking the Dharma through the sutra and awakening through the Dharma, you will then eradicate immeasurable offenses and attain the most supreme field of blessings. You will realize the fruit in the human and heavenly realms, eternally reaching happiness. The extent of this merit and virtue—how can it have any limit?

I respectfully write this preface to show to future generations.

April 17th, 1423