No. 504-A金剛經彚纂原序
Preface to the Diamond Sutra Annotated Compilation
金剛一經，括盡諸經奧義，一切諸佛及諸佛阿耨多羅三藐三菩提法，皆從此經出，經已明言之矣。其大旨總在破除我執，以無住為本體，以降伏為入門，如法受持，能使人在欲忘欲，居塵出塵，不使我為境用，而使境為我用，誠煩暑中一服清涼散也。竝非一味談空，具有實用。乃有善信之人，但知讀誦此經，懵然不解其義。亦有學者究心經註，或屬言煩，或苦義略，是非可否，靡所適從。即或粗知經義，不究精微，止求持誦以釋愆，無有信心而修證，則於如來至妙之心法，遂無由夢見。而佛教亦緣此似明實晦，不深可歎哉。(念劬)根鈍習深，苦纏蔽集，晚節末路，履蹈惟艱。嘗發憤於是經，不知而求其知，不解而求其解，以自袪其煩惑。爰取諸家註說，為之剪訛削膚，提綱挈維，節要以存義，參互以明體，反覆以示蘊，專錄以啟奧，兩存以質疑。以為是說也，殆庶幾近之。凡三閱寒暑而成，名曰彚纂。雖用力之勤，艱苦不辭，而謂於是經之大旨，已無不詳，無不合，所不敢知也。賴藉眾力鐫梓，以公善信。上根之人，頓以明心。次根之人，漸以窮理。世之軋軋焉，惟利欲是溺，迷失本來，墮煩惱障而不知悟者，盍向清冷中覔一波羅蜜乎。
The Diamond Sutra encompasses the profound essence of all scriptures. All buddhas and the supreme enlightenment of all buddhas arise from this sutra, as the sutra itself clearly states. Its core teaching lies in breaking attachment to self, with non-abiding as its foundation and subduing the mind as its entry point. By properly receiving and practicing it, one can transcend desire while amidst desire, rise above worldly concerns while living in the world, not allowing the self to be controlled by circumstances but instead using circumstances for the self's benefit. Truly, it is a cooling balm in the heat of affliction. It does not merely discuss emptiness but possesses practical application.
There are pious people who recite this sutra without understanding its meaning, and scholars who delve into commentaries only to find them either verbose or too terse, leaving them uncertain which interpretation to follow. Even those who grasp the sutra's surface meaning often fail to explore its subtle depths. They seek only to recite it for karmic purification, lacking faith and genuine cultivation—thus never glimpsing the Tathagata's sublime inner teaching. Buddhism, for this reason, appears clear on the surface yet remains obscure, a truly lamentable situation.
(Nianqu)
I, dull in capacity and burdened by deep-seated habits, am entangled in afflictions and prejudices. In my later years, each step is difficult. I once resolved to study this sutra, seeking understanding where I was ignorant and clarity where I was confused, in order to dispel my own vexation. I selected various commentaries, pruning errors and superficialities. I extracted the essential framework, preserved key points to retain meaning, cross-referenced to clarify the substance, repeatedly explored to reveal the hidden layers, dedicated selections to unveil profundities, and juxtaposed differing views to encourage questioning. This work, I believe, comes close to the truth. It took three years to complete and is titled `Compilation and Synthesis`. Though the effort was exacting and I spared no hardship, I dare not claim that it covers every aspect of the sutra's teaching with completeness and correctness. With collective efforts, it has been carved and published for public benefit.
May those of sharp faculties instantly awaken their mind. May those of middling faculties gradually penetrate the truth. As for those struggling in the world, drowning in greed and desire, losing their original nature, falling into afflictions without realizing—why not seek a paramita in this refreshing source?
乾隆五十八年歲次癸丑三月望日潔齋孫念劬謹識
On the 15th day of the 3rd month of the 58th year of the Qianlong reign (1793), respectfully recorded by Sun Nianqu, who had purified himself and fasted beforehand.