No. 1096-B淨心誡觀法序
Preface to Pure Mind Precepts for Contemplation
餘杭郡沙門釋 元照 述
Written by Shih Yuanzhao, Monk of Yuhang Commandery
太近至易無如自心入死出生了不知覺其體明瑩其量包容故使一迷遽生諸法其猶寶鑑因明而像生又若長川緣澄而波動謂心異物為物轉心吸攬塵緣積成勞結淪歷諸有沈屈己靈餘趣無知人倫尠學縱令聽習多墮邪癡奔逐名聞封著知解至有江南江北走覓菩提曲見邪心未嘗正直野猿騰躍家犬遲迴勞我聖師提耳垂誨曲留妙藥的指病根囊括兩乘津通萬行託彼親度用表弘慈囑使竊闚恃彰秘勝深訶講論苦勉修治然古德傳通雙弘教觀諸部則以教開解斯文乃以觀示修既非無目而遊豈是數他之寶須信從真起妄舉體現前達妄即真不從他得淨心之要覽者宜知。No. 1096
The closest and easiest thing to see is one's own mind. Yet from birth to death, we are unaware of it. Its essence is bright and pure; its capacity embraces all. Thus, when it becomes deluded for a single moment, myriad phenomena suddenly arise. This is like a precious mirror: because it is bright, images are produced. It is like a long river: because its waters are clear, waves stir. When one regards the mind as separate from things, one is turned by objects and clings to sensory dust. Accumulating these binds, one sinks into existence, subduing and obscuring one's own spiritual light. Other realms are ignorant of this; even among humans, few truly study it. Even those who listen and learn often fall into wrong views and confusion. They chase after fame, clinging to intellectual understanding. Some travel south and north searching for enlightenment, their minds twisted, their hearts not upright—like wild monkeys leaping or domestic dogs circling. The Sage Teacher laboriously took us by the ear, bestowing his instruction. He skillfully left behind wondrous medicine, directly pointing to the root of the disease, encompassing the two vehicles and penetrating all practices. He entrusted personal guidance to express great compassion, urging us to observe secretly and to cherish the hidden excellence. He sternly admonished mere lecturing and debate, strongly urging us to practice and cultivate. Yet, the ancient masters transmitted teachings that harmonized doctrine and contemplation. Commentaries opened understanding through teaching, while this text guides cultivation through contemplation. It is not like walking blind, nor is it counting another's treasure. You must trust that from the true arises the deluded; the whole substance manifests before you. To realize the deluded is itself the true—it is not obtained from another. May the reader know the essential of purifying the mind.
淨心誡觀發真鈔卷上本
Pure Mind Precepts: Illuminating True Reality, Volume 1 Part A
天台沙門釋 允堪 述
Composed by the Tiantai Monk Shi Yungkan
淨心誡觀法
THE DHARMA OF PURE MIND: A WATCHFUL CONTEMPLATION