Song · by 宗鏡述 明 覺連重集
134,005 · about 447 min
The *Commentary and Liturgical Guide to the Diamond Sutra* is a Buddhist commentary composed by the Song dynasty monk Zongjing and later compiled anew by the Ming dynasty monk Juelian. This work systematically organizes and annotates Kumārajīva's translation of the Diamond Sutra in the form of a liturgical guide, integrating ritual practice with doctrinal exposition. It reflects the characteristic emphasis during the Song and Ming periods on both ritualization and doctrinal study in Buddhism. The content focuses on dividing the sutra into sections and analyzing its meaning passage by passage, while also incorporating the essential teachings of Chan to guide practitioners in deepening their understanding of the emptiness of prajñā through ritual observance. As a significant text in Diamond Sutra studies, it embodies the maturation of the liturgical tradition in Chinese Buddhism and provides a model for later generations in combining ritual practice with textual understanding. It holds a pivotal position in the history of Buddhist liturgy and scriptural commentary, bridging earlier traditions with later developments.