Song · by 淨源編敘
5,523 · about 18 min
The *Śūraṅgama Altar Practice and Realization Ritual*, compiled by the eminent Song Dynasty monk Jingyuan, is a liturgical text that systematically expounds the altar practice and realization methods of the *Śūraṅgama Sutra*. This work emerged against the backdrop of the revival of Buddhism in the Song Dynasty and the integration of Huayan, Chan, and Pure Land thought. Its primary content establishes rigorous altar specifications based on the *Śūraṅgama Sutra*, detailing the stages and rituals of practice such as repentance, mantra recitation, and visualization. It aims to guide practitioners, through the liturgical practice of purifying body, speech, and mind, to realize the *Śūraṅgama Samādhi*. This ritual holds a significant position in the history of Chinese Buddhism. It is an important text for studying esoteric rituals of the Song Dynasty, Huayan practice, and the devotional and ritual aspects of the *Śūraṅgama Sutra* faith, and has been highly regarded by later Chan, Pure Land, and Vinaya traditions.