刻寶王三昧念佛直指序
Preface to the Direct Path of Buddha-Recollection Samadhi, the King of Treasures
蕅益道人智旭著
Written by Ouyi Daoren Zhixu
夫念佛三昧名為如來勝異方便。凡聖均收。利鈍悉被。以一念頓歸佛海。可謂至圓至頓第一了義者也。而世之迷義徇名者。見有五逆眾惡十念往生之說。反以為專攝凡劣但化鈍根。可謂昧佛妙旨。謗讟深經矣。予因慨。末世行人多疑多障。難悟難開。于此深妙法門。非著事而忘理。必執理而撥事。著事者猶堪作下品生因。執理者竟淪于惡取空見。蓋至此而直指之道翻成斷滅深坑。非藉金錍。誰扶翳膜。爰有妙叶導師。法紹宗乘。教興蓮社。應永明角虎之記。暢寶王三昧之談。境觀並彰。纖疑悉破。闡惟心之致。依正宛然。示自性之源。感應不忒。俾達者以理融事。而理非事外。愚者亦因事入理。而事挾理功。誠除惑之前茅。生西之左券也。顧二百餘年。幾成廢典。流通機塞。蓮大師尚欲見而未能。而願力不磨。韓居士乃從萬融禪師處遘得之。予既獲借讀。如飫醍醐。悲劫濁之方殷。喜津梁之有在。急謀付梓以廣厥傳。普願見聞隨喜。種樂土之圓因。讀誦思惟。證寶王之法印。轉相曉悟。共脫沈淪。庶不負此希有良緣也已。
The practice of Buddha-Recollection Samadhi is known as the Tathagata's supreme and extraordinary skillful means. It embraces both ordinary beings and sages, benefiting both the sharp and the dull-witted. Through a single thought, one swiftly returns to the ocean of Buddhahood. It can truly be called the most complete, most immediate, and foremost teaching of ultimate meaning.
Yet those in the world who are confused about its meaning and cling to names, upon hearing the teaching that even those who have committed the five heinous crimes and various evils can attain rebirth through ten recitations, mistakenly think it only gathers ordinary, inferior beings and instructs only the dull-witted. This can be called being blind to the Buddha's profound intent and slandering the deep scriptures.
Thus I lament that practitioners in this latter age are often full of doubts and obstacles, finding it difficult to awaken and to open up. Regarding this profound and wonderful Dharma gate, they either cling to phenomena and forget the principle, or stubbornly grasp the principle and reject the phenomena. Those who cling to phenomena can still establish the cause for rebirth in the lower grades. But those who stubbornly grasp the principle end up falling into the perverted view of nihilistic emptiness. At this point, the direct pointing path ironically becomes a deep pit of annihilation. Without relying on a golden lancet, who can remove the cataract?
Fortunately, there is the guiding teacher Miao Xie, who inherited the lineage of the Chan school and revitalized the teaching of the Lotus Society. Responding to the prophecy of Yongming's "Horned Tiger," he elucidated the discourse on the Samadhi of the Precious King. He clearly revealed both the object of contemplation and the contemplative practice, thoroughly resolving every subtle doubt. He expounded the ultimate meaning of "mind-only," where the environment and the beings within it are vividly present. He pointed out the source of one's own nature, where response and resonance are unfailing.
He enabled those of penetrating understanding to integrate phenomena with principle, realizing that principle is not outside of phenomena. He also enabled the dull-witted to enter principle through phenomena, so that their engagement with phenomena carries the power of principle. This is truly the vanguard for eliminating afflictions and the sure guarantee for rebirth in the Western Pure Land.
Yet for over two hundred years, this work was nearly lost, a forgotten classic. The opportunity for its circulation was blocked. Even the great Master Lianchi longed to see it but could not. However, the power of vows does not fade. Layman Han then obtained it from Chan Master Wanrong. Once I had the chance to borrow and read it, it was like savoring the finest ghee. I grieved over the intensifying kalpa turbidity, yet rejoiced that a bridge of deliverance exists. I urgently sought to have it printed to widely circulate its transmission.
I universally vow that all who see, hear, and rejoice in it may plant the perfect causes for the Land of Bliss. May all who read, recite, and contemplate it realize the Dharma-seal of the Precious King. May we enlighten one another in turn and together escape the depths of samsara. Then we will not have failed this rare and excellent opportunity.
右序編錄乎淨信堂初集今鈔出冠于篇首也
This compilation was first recorded in the Hall of Pure Faith. Now, I have extracted it and placed it at the beginning of this volume.