敘曰：斯經雖部屬方等，非醍醐比，而受持者眾，乃與法華侔盛。但梵夾東來，備歷諸朝翻譯，而經五師及中間合六本不同。今世所傳，即北涼曇無讖師所譯，最為舊物，奈何而在藏外別行。先賢不曉部類之異，多將合本改足讖譯，或累經傳寫，魚魯成訛，遂致在處板籍有異。至於脫文長句者有之，言乖字異者有之，本既不純，取捨莫準，往往披誦之人眯目其間者多矣。愚今謹案歷代翻經目錄，先示前後部帙，次述台宗釋經，五章三分，諸品生起，然後研詳龍藏合本，考覈人世別行，斷以天台文句為指南，復用諸家義記作輔翼，所有異同訛謬，一皆刊正，為為句讀，事相餘疑，從而披剝，繫以境觀修顯，俾夫人人發揮，本有大光明藏，遠於如貧數寶之譏矣。十科既成，列上下卷舒，題曰金光明經照解。噫！爝火之微，烏足以佐日月之騰煇，而大教炳然，容光必照，故區區鄙志莫得而隱云也。
Preface: Although this sutra belongs to the Vaipulya category and is not comparable to the supreme teaching of the Ghee, it is widely upheld and practiced, matching the popularity of the Lotus Sutra. However, since the Sanskrit manuscripts arrived in the East, they underwent translations across various dynasties, resulting in five distinct versions and a sixth combined edition. The version circulating today is the translation by Master Dharmakṣema of the Northern Liang dynasty, which is the oldest extant version, yet it is separately transmitted outside the main canon. Earlier scholars, unaware of the differences in classification, often conflated it with other versions or altered it to match Dharmakṣema's translation. Moreover, through repeated copying, errors and discrepancies arose, leading to variations in printed editions across regions. Some versions contain omissions or lengthy passages, while others exhibit inconsistencies in wording and characters. As the original text became impure, it became difficult to determine what to adopt or discard, often leaving readers confused and lost.
I have now carefully examined the historical catalogs of translated scriptures, first clarifying the sequence and structure of the various editions, then explaining the Tiantai school's interpretation of the sutra—its five divisions, three parts, and the progression of its chapters. Subsequently, I compared the combined edition in the Dragon Treasury with the separately transmitted versions in circulation. Using the Tiantai commentaries as a guide and supplementing them with annotations from other schools, I have corrected all discrepancies and errors, added punctuation, and clarified ambiguous passages and details. I have also integrated contemplative practices and insights to help everyone uncover the inherent treasury of great radiance, thereby avoiding the criticism of merely counting treasures like a pauper.
Having completed these ten sections, I have compiled them into two volumes, titling the work *The Illuminating Explanation of the Golden Light Sutra*. Alas! How can the faint glow of a torch compare to the brilliance of the sun and moon? Yet, as the great teaching shines brightly, even the smallest light must illuminate. Thus, my humble intentions cannot remain hidden.
旹大宋紹熈庚戌歲紀履長之旦比丘宗曉謹序
In the year Gengxu of the Shaoxi era of the Great Song Dynasty, on the auspicious day of Jilüchang, the monk Zongxiao respectfully composed this preface.