金光明經序
Golden Light Sutra Preface
真定府十方洪濟禪院住持傳法慈覺大師宗賾述
夫靈心絕待，泯萬物而獨存。妙行難思，諸緣普現，則實際理地雖不受於一毫，而事相門中不捨於一法。故如來出世，說《金光明經》，依清淨心，建解脫行，顯出塵之經卷，永廓迷情；示伏藏之寶王，頓圓大用。夫以信相為起教之人，則菩薩無滯空之行；於堅牢有贊空之頌，則法身非有相之求。性相該通，有無互建，則一經之要義在於斯。至於明諸佛法性之源，探如來壽量之本，金光普照，發揚一切智門；金鼓騰聲，顯示無邊妙用，則菩薩發行之源也。懺除罪障，本如夢之法門；讚歎如來，舉修行之妙果。摩訶薩埵之飼虎，能捨能行；長者流水之濟魚，有始有卒，則菩薩依真之行也。譬之明月當天，影沈眾水，真金作器，體應萬形，主伴圓融，一多自在，能於一法，受一切法，則信如來之祕藏，實為三界之寶乘，莊嚴性海之門，趣向覺王之本。是以十千天子，聞而頓證於菩提；一切眾生，入者皆同於甘露，則見聞隨喜，讀誦受持，於一念具了無上法門者，豈小緣哉。凡我同儔，勉思佛意。元豐四年三月十五日序。
The spiritual mind transcends all comparisons, standing alone beyond the myriad phenomena. Its wondrous workings are beyond thought, manifesting through all conditions. While in the realm of ultimate truth it accepts not even a single hair, within the gate of phenomenal appearances it does not abandon a single dharma. Thus, when the Tathagata appeared in the world, he taught the *Sutra of Golden Light*, establishing the practice of liberation based on a pure mind, revealing the scripture that transcends worldly dust, forever dispelling confusion, and showing the treasure king hidden within, instantly perfecting its great function.
With Faithful Appearance as the one who initiates the teaching, bodhisattvas avoid the practice of clinging to emptiness. In the praise of emptiness by Firm and Solid, the Dharma-body is not sought through form. Nature and characteristics interpenetrate, existence and non-existence mutually establish each other—this is the essential meaning of this sutra.
As for clarifying the source of the Buddha's Dharma-nature, exploring the basis of the Tathagata's life span, the golden light shines universally, revealing all gates of wisdom; the golden drum resounds, displaying boundless wondrous functions—this is the source of a bodhisattva's practice. Confessing and removing karmic obstacles is the dharma gate of dream-like nature; praising the Tathagata presents the wondrous fruit of cultivation. Mahasattva feeding his body to the tiger demonstrates the ability to relinquish and act; Elder Flowing Water saving the fish shows beginning and completion—this is the bodhisattva's practice based on truth.
Like the bright moon in the sky casting its reflection upon all waters, or true gold fashioned into vessels adapting to countless forms, host and companion interpenetrate, one and many exist freely. Through one dharma, one receives all dharmas. Thus, to believe in the Tathagata's secret treasury is truly to board the precious vehicle of the three realms, entering the gate of the ocean of adornment nature, heading toward the source of the King of Awakening.
Therefore, ten thousand heavenly beings, upon hearing, instantly realized enlightenment; all sentient beings who enter attain the same nectar. To see, hear, rejoice, read, recite, receive, and uphold—to fully comprehend the supreme dharma gate in a single thought—is this a small matter? Let all my companions diligently contemplate the Buddha's intention.
Preface written on the fifteenth day of the third month in the fourth year of the Yuanfeng era.
金光明經卷第一
北涼三藏法師曇無讖譯
Translated by Dharmakṣema, Tripitaka Master of Northern Liang