熾盛光道場念誦儀拾遺序
Preface to the Supplemental Chanting Ritual for the Radiant Light Assembly
宋雲間沙門靈鑑述
宋天竺法師慈雲尊者。以行光教示滅于錢塘天竺道場。門弟子靈鑑。以所稟法師道德化乎當世。三昧行法施於後代發揚四種三昧在乎斯文。行法之盛不可以不紀。於是拾其遺編。獨有熾盛光道場念誦儀未廣流布。遂更采諸文補助始末。因舊五章增為七科(新添示方法并釋疑)示方法乃。取於本經令。造修者有據釋。疑則華梵功等道俗兼該。其間壇場儀軌。今皇朝譯經三藏大卿。圖紀行世此不委明。餘皆沿襲舊文不忘乎本云爾。
Master Ciyun, a Dharma Master from India during the Song Dynasty, spread the teachings of the Avatamsaka Sutra before passing away at the Tianzhu Monastery in Qiantang. His disciple Lingjian recognized that the Master’s virtues and practices had deeply influenced his generation and that his methods of Samadhi practice would guide future practitioners. To develop and promote the Four Kinds of Samadhi, this text was essential. Seeing that the ritual manuals for Samadhi practice were flourishing and deserved to be recorded, he gathered the Master’s remaining writings. Among them, he found that the Rite for Invoking Radiant Light (Shining Majesty) had not been widely disseminated. Therefore, he compiled references from various texts to fill in the missing sections, expanding the original five chapters into seven categories.
(Newly added: Instructions on Methods and Answers to Doubts) The "Instructions on Methods" were drawn from the original sutras, providing practitioners with solid foundations. The "Answers to Doubts" covered both Sanskrit and Chinese practices, equally addressing lay and monastic practitioners. Regarding the layout of the ritual site, the current imperial translator, the High Minister of the Tripitaka, has published a diagram for circulation in this world, so we will not elaborate here. The rest follows the original texts, preserving their essence.
熾盛光道場念誦儀
Ritual of Recitation for the Radiant Light Assembly
宋天竺寺傳天台教觀沙門遵式撰
Composed by Shramana Zun Shi of Tiantai Doctrine, Song Dynasty Tianzhu Temple
夫法儀施設在乎必當為主。若言理有歸何須諍論除傳者不肖醍醐殺人。熾盛光大威德真言者。大聖垂愍別示神方。雖言小異持蓋功深難測。專心暫誦立見有功。豈在載言。
The establishment of Dharma methods must be appropriate and proper for the occasion. If the principles already have a clear foundation, why engage in disputes? Unless the transmitter is unworthy, even the finest nectar can become poison.
The "Blazing Brilliance, Majestic Power Great Dharani" is a sacred method bestowed by the Great Sage out of compassion, a special revelation of spiritual skill. Though the words may seem slightly different, the merits of sustaining it are profoundly deep and unfathomable. Simply reciting it with focused mind will quickly bring visible results—why elaborate further in words?