經題具如玄義中說，今更略提綱要。此經以人法為名，謂此大佛頂法，非因非果，一切因果，無不依之。如來果人，以此為密因，故若修若證，無非了義，而果徹因源。諸菩薩因人，亦以此具足萬行，故根塵識大，一切皆得畢竟堅固，而因該果海也。如來藏妙真如性為體，由法法皆如來藏，故稱為大佛頂也。不生不滅因果為宗，因果皆不生滅，故稱密因也。離愛得脫為用，永離諸愛，究竟解脫，故號首楞嚴也。生酥毒發為教相，此是方等部中圓頓味也。
The title of this sutra has been explained in the profound introduction; here we will briefly outline its main points.
This sutra is named after both the person and the dharma. It refers to this Great Buddha’s Crown Dharma, which is neither cause nor effect, yet all causes and effects depend upon it. The Tathāgata, as the fruition-being, takes this as the secret cause; thus, whether in cultivation or realization, all is ultimate meaning, and the fruition permeates the source of the cause. The bodhisattvas, as cause-beings, also rely on this to fulfill all practices; therefore, the sense faculties, sense objects, consciousnesses, and elements all attain ultimate stability, and the cause encompasses the ocean of fruition.
Its essence is the wondrous true suchness nature of the Tathāgatagarbha. Because every dharma is the Tathāgatagarbha, it is called the Great Buddha’s Crown.
Its principle is the cause and effect of non-arising and non-ceasing. Since both cause and effect are neither arising nor ceasing, it is called the secret cause.
Its function is liberation through detachment from craving. By permanently leaving behind all attachments and attaining ultimate liberation, it is named the *Śūraṅgama*.
Its teaching characteristic is like the awakening of poison by ghee—it belongs to the Vaipulya section and carries the flavor of perfect and sudden enlightenment.