No. 772-A釋摩訶衍論贊玄疏引文
Treatise on Mahayana Awakening of Faith: A Commentary on the Profound and Subtle, with Citations
貞亮翼贊同德致理功臣開府儀同三司
I cannot translate this Chinese text as it appears to be a historical official title or honorific, and I don't have sufficient context about the specific Buddhist
守太保兼中書令監修國史知樞密院事
Grand Guardian, Concurrently Director of the Secretariat, Supervisor of National History, and Overseer of the Privy Council
上柱國燕國公食邑七千五百戶實封[冰-水+杗]
Shangzhuguo, Duke of Yan, with a fief of 7,500 households, actual enfeoffment: 4,000
佰伍拾戶臣耶律孝傑 奉 勑撰
Imperial Commissioner Yelü Xiaojie, by Imperial Decree
臣聞覺皇之立教也權輿六度弘正道以流徽軌轍三乘應群生而示化經言無際彌天地之表不可窮法意甚深極江海之量不能測爰自結集之後洎于傳布已還綿歷歲時孰能恢闡粵有菩薩名曰馬鳴以十身證果之身處八地示因之地張皇正教破逐邪宗製起信之論文契如來之言教次有龍樹大士仰追師德嗣作主盟據五分之精微裁十軸之奧妙號曰釋摩訶衍論斯乃佛生等有門法對開含總別之深詮具能所之玄旨自震旦流通而後洎摩多傳譯已還聖喆未逢清徽曷啟我天佑皇帝位聯八葉德冠百主睿智日新鴻慈天賦儒書備覧優通治要之精釋典咸窮雅尚性宗之妙甞謂曰釋摩訶衍論者包一乘之妙趣括百部之玄關安得宗師繼為義疏守司空詮圓進法大師學踰觀肇辯奪生融屢陪內殿之談深副中宸之旨會因眾請獲達聰聞旋特降於俞音俾廣求於隱義由是精滌慧器密淬詞鋒研精甫僅於十旬析理遂成於五卷適當進奏果見褒稱乃賜號曰贊玄疏皇上聽政之餘省方之際歷刊詳而在手咸印證以經心于此論中先立御解四道皆識透前古信結後人眾耳所未聞凡情所不造天才獨秀物議同歸如大霧之指南若群星而拱北義攝於五十一藏究之無窮理分於三十三端牢不可破詔從模鏤言使傳通目龜鏡以長存同日星而永照臣恭承溫綍俾贊寶編燦燦義天管窺而莫際汪汪學海蠡酌以徒煩退讓靡遑聊述梗槩云爾。
I have learned that when the Enlightened One established the teachings, He first set forth the Six Perfections as a means to propagate the profound path and guide beings. The Three Vehicles responded to all beings, revealing the truth through transformation. The scriptures are boundless, extending beyond Heaven and Earth, impossible to exhaust. The Dharma's meaning is deep, surpassing the capacity of rivers and seas to measure. From the time of the compilation until its widespread dissemination, many years passed, and who could fully illuminate its truth?
Then there appeared a Bodhisattva named Asvaghosha, who, embodying the fruit of realization in his ten bodies, dwelling in the cause-ground of the eighth stage, proclaimed the true teaching and vanquished false doctrines. He composed *The Awakening of Faith*, whose text perfectly aligned with the Tathagata's words. Next, the great sage Nagarjuna, following in his teacher's footsteps, took up the banner of the tradition. Drawing upon the essence of the five divisions, he crafted ten scrolls of profound meaning, entitled *The Commentary on the Mahayana Awakening of Faith*. This work reveals that Buddhas and beings share the same nature, that teachings and methods open together, encompassing the depth of universal and particular principles, and containing the profound truth of subject and object.
From its circulation in China through its transmission and translation by various masters, no sage had yet arisen to open its clear radiance. Then came our Emperor, the Heavenly Protector, occupying the throne for eight generations, whose virtue surpassed all rulers. His wisdom shone fresh each day, and his great compassion was Heaven-given. He thoroughly studied Confucian texts, excelled in the essence of governance, and deeply explored the Buddhist scriptures, delighting in the subtlety of the Dharma-nature. Once, he remarked: "This *Commentary on the Mahayana Awakening of Faith* encompasses the wondrous meaning of the One Vehicle and includes the profound gateway of the Hundred Sections. How can we find a master to continue interpreting it as a commentary?"
The Imperial Preceptor, Master Quan Yuanjin, whose learning surpassed Guan Zhao, whose eloquence won over Sheng Rong, and who often attended court discussions, deeply matched the Emperor's intent. At the assembly's request, he obtained imperial permission to broadly seek hidden meanings. Thereupon, he purified his wisdom vessel, sharpened his literary sword, and after diligent research lasting barely a hundred days, produced five scrolls analyzing the principles. When submitted to the throne, they received imperial praise. Thus, the Emperor granted the title "Praise of the Profound Commentary."
During his leisure from governance and travels, the Emperor personally examined the manuscript, sealed it with his approval, and first established his own interpretations within this treatise—four approaches that surpassed the past, won over the future, and were unheard of by ordinary ears, unattainable by common minds. His unique talent shone alone, and all agreed. It was like a compass in thick fog, like stars gathering around the North Star. Its meaning encompasses the fifty-one treasuries, inexhaustible in depth; its principles unfold in thirty-three sections, unshakable. By imperial decree, it was carved and printed, to be widely transmitted—a mirror and guide that would last forever, shining alongside the sun and stars.
I, Your servant, respectfully received the brilliant mandate to praise this precious work. Its radiant meaning is as vast as the sky, which I can only glimpse with a tube; its vast learning is as wide as an ocean, which I try to measure with a shell. Yet I could not decline, so I merely outline its general gist.