金剛般若經集驗記卷上(并序)
Diamond Sutra Collection of Miracles, Scroll One(with Preface)
梓州司馬 孟獻忠 撰
Written by Meng Xianzhong, Magistrate of Zizhou
夫般若者。乃諸佛之智母。至道之精微。為法海之泉源。實如來之秘藏。言語道斷。心行處滅。超於名相而界入。稱謂稽而不逮。離於見聞覺知。智識詮而逾遠。無行無得。所以致其功。不住不染。所以成其慧。探其玅者。行皆道場。達其理者。動為佛事。至於一十二經。八萬四千之法。等三辰之競耀。仰慧景而同暉。類五衢之爭馳。入真乘而共轍。惟寂惟寞。感而遂通。何慮何思。誠而必應。其有一念淨信。四偈受持。福無量而無邊。廣大侔於法界。果不生而不滅。究竟等於虗空。故能使脩羅之軍。尋聲而遠遁。波旬之騎。藉響而旋奔。鉤爪鋸牙。挫芒衂(如盡反)銳。洪濤(音桃)烈火。息浪韜炎。厲(音例)氣煙凝。毒不能害。交陳雲合。刃不能傷。含識必該觸類而長。亦猶洪鐘虗受。響無擊而不揚。明鏡高懸。物有來而斯見。則知幽顯叶贊。萬彚(音謂)所以䖍誠。釋梵護持。百神由其侍衛。今者取其靈驗。尤著異跡。尅彰經典之所傳。耳目之所接。集成三卷。分為六篇。其有見賢而思齊。聞義而勇猛。如磨玉之子。守劒之賓。如周處之遇士衡。長清三橫。仲由之逢宣父。即列四科。仁遠乎哉。欲之而至。雖不足發揮聖教。光闡大乘。庶貽諸子孫。以勵同志。于時大唐開元六年。歲次戊午。奧四月乙丑。朔八日壬申撰畢。
The Perfection of Wisdom is the mother of all Buddhas, the subtle essence of the supreme path, the fountainhead of the Dharma ocean, and truly the secret treasury of the Tathāgata. Words cannot describe it, mental activity ceases where it dwells. It transcends names, forms, and realms; all labels fall short in capturing it. It lies beyond seeing, hearing, sensing, or knowing; intellectual understanding only distances us further. Without practice or attainment, it achieves its effect; without attachment or defilement, it realizes its wisdom. Those who explore its profundity find every action a place of awakening; those who grasp its principles turn every movement into sacred work.
As for the twelve divisions of scriptures and the eighty-four thousand teachings—they shine like the three luminaries competing for brilliance, yet all bask in the same light of wisdom. Like five crossroads bustling with traffic, they all converge onto the one true vehicle.
Quiet and still, yet when responded to, it penetrates all. Without worry or thought, sincerity brings a sure response. If one has but a single thought of pure faith and upholds even four verses, the blessings are immeasurable and boundless, vast as the Dharma realm. The result is neither born nor extinguished, equal to space itself in its finality.
Thus, the armies of the Asuras flee at the sound of its call; the cavalry of Māra turn back at its echo. Claws and fangs lose their edge, spears and swords are blunted. Raging floods and blazing fires calm their waves and hide their flames. Poisonous vapors cannot cause harm; though weapons clash like clouds, they cannot wound. Every sentient being it touches is uplifted in kind—just as a great bell, empty and receptive, never fails to ring when struck, or a bright mirror hung high reflects whatever comes before it.
Therefore, the seen and unseen worlds join in praise; all beings bow in devout reverence. Brahmā and Śakra offer protection, and the hundred spirits stand guard. Now, selecting its most evident miracles and clearly manifest wonders—those recorded in scripture and witnessed by the senses—I have compiled three volumes divided into six chapters.
For those who see the wise and aspire to emulate, who hear the truth and act bravely—like the disciple who polishes his jade, the disciple who guards his sword, like Zhou Chu meeting Shi Heng and thus cleansing the three pests, or Zhong Yu meeting Confucius and thus joining the four virtues—benevolence is not far off; desire it, and it arrives.
Though this work may not fully reveal the holy teachings or illuminate the Great Vehicle, I hope it may be passed down to future generations, encouraging those of like mind.
Written on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month in the year Wuwu, the sixth year of the Kaiyuan era of the Great Tang dynasty.